You'll all be aware of the following posts no doubt:

I'm not a massive fan of the name if I'm honest. To me it just doesn't have the same ring to it as JSFiddle/fiddle when used on SO. For example:

  • take a look at my JSFiddle
  • here's a demo fiddle
  • plz create a JSFiddle with the codez
  • let me fiddle it

Now replace the terms with stack snippets and perhaps you might agree it's not as catchy.

Could we do better?

I'm not assuming in any way that any suggestions will be taken on board and used, but what the fiddle.

My lame suggestions to be used in the previous examples:

  • StackHack (or Hack for short)
  • SOHack (pronounced S-O-Hack)
  • stHack (pronounced stack, like it but could confuse)
  • SOFiddle (too close to JSFiddle perhaps)
  • OverFiddle (ditto)
  • OverHack
  • MinifHack (ha, sounds like a curse, love it)

Not entirely sure about using Over in the name as we're after minimal complete code samples, hence the minify themed one.

I'm not suggesting that my ideas are any better, but you guys might come up with something, so please answer with your suggestions or just down vote if you like it as it is.

If you like any of my suggestions, please state which one with a simple short comment so others can use it to vote. Please do the same on any answers that post multiple suggestions so we can see the people's choice.


closed as primarily opinion-based by Mr Lister, Daedalus, Patrick Hofman, ChrisF Sep 17 at 10:40


I recommend Example: "what have you tried? please!" –  Sompuperoo Aug 29 at 1:35
@iStimple like it, perhaps add it as an answer to allow voting as an answer and make it more visible –  Tanner Aug 29 at 1:37
@iStimple: I like it, but would it be clear what it means to a beginner? (is there a possibility of a quick-link?) –  David Robinson Aug 29 at 1:43
I'm assuming it would be covered in the tour and the button would still say "run code snippets", it's just a code name of sorts I guess, unless they're going to change the button in the future. –  Tanner Aug 29 at 1:46
Stack Snacks. Flippets. Fuddles. Tinkers. Twiddles. –  Mike M. Aug 29 at 2:13
@iStimple, yes please add as an answer! –  DonyorM Aug 29 at 2:17
jsFiddle could do with a better name than buzzing one out –  random Aug 29 at 2:58
Why would you even use the term "stack snippet" when talking about them in the context of a SO question? The simplest, most obvious choice is simply using the word "snippet" or "code snippet" or maybe "runnable snippet" - without any reference to the "stack" part. Any other term you could use for such a snippet would only obfuscate the meaning. –  l4mpi Aug 29 at 7:24
"Stack Snippet" sounds like it's part of a stack. I know I'm reading "stack" too literally, but that's the first thing that came to mind when I saw the name. The name didn't tell me that it was a piece of code until I read the explanation. I would have guessed that it was a stack trace, or something like that. –  Reto Koradi Sep 17 at 8:22

1 Answer 1

up vote 9 down vote accepted

I don't see any reason. Snippet makes a lot of sense as a name. From wikipedia:

Snippet is a programming term for a small region of re-usable source code, machine code, or text.

The point is - a snippet is a small piece of code that works on its own and can be easily copied and reused. And that's the entire idea of the SO snippets - that you can run them in the answer and see it in action.

That's different from JSFiddle, which is more about sharing your code with other people (either because you need their help debugging it, or you want to create a playground for some library or whatever). Think about it this way - when you share a snippet in the ansewr, the OP can copy and paste the code - but that's about it. When you share a fiddle, he can also edit the code and extend it even more. Each method achieves something a little different.

So no, there's no reason to rename the "snippets" to "fiddles" or anything similar - both because it isn't the same as jsfiddle and also because the name makes sense on its own (we don't need to invent our own name either, so "" is also out the window, even though it would make for some hilarious comments).

And all that's without mentioning the ensuing unnecessary confusion about such a change happening a short time after the feature has been introduced.


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