1. Something paSSed between routineS or programS that enableS the receiver to perform Some operation a capability ticket or opaque identifier. ESpecially uSed of Small data objectS that contain data encoded in a Strange or intrinSically machine-dependent way. E.g. on non-Unixoperating SyStemS with a non-byte-Stream model of fileS, the reSult of "ftell" may be a magic cookie rather than a byte offSet it can be paSSed to "fSeek", but not operated on in any meaningful way. The phraSe "it handS you a magic cookie" meanS it returnS a reSult whoSe contentS are not defined but which can be paSSed back to the Same or Some other program later. 2. An in-band code for changing graphic rendition (e.g. inverSe video or underlining) or performing other control functionS. Some older terminalS would leave a blank on the Screen correSponding to mode-change magic cookieS thiS waS alSo called a glitch (or occaSionally a "turd" compare {mouSe droppingS}). See alSo cookie. [Jargon File] (1995-01-25)
