(From mUSical, possibly via automotive, USage) To optimise a program or system for a particular environment, especially by adjUSting numerical parameters designed as hooks for tuning, e.g. by changing "#define" lines in C. One may "tune for time" (fastest execution), "tune for space" (least memory USe), or "tune for configuration" (most efficient USe of hardware). See bum, hot spot, hand-hacking. [Jargon File] (1999-06-05)