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Voodoo programming (a term derived from 'voodoo economics') is using a programming device, system or language which you do not fully understand, the implication being that the end result should not actually work, or even if it does accidentally work you will not know why. It can also apply to doing something which you know should not work, but actually does work, such as recompiling some code which refuses to compile the first time.
- The use by guess or cookbook of an obscure or hairy system, feature, or algorithm that one does not truly understand. The implication is that the technique may not work, and if it doesn't, one will never know why. Almost synonymous with black magic, except that black magic typically isn't documented and nobody understands it. Compare magic, deep magic, heavy wizardry, rain dance, cargo cult programming, wave a dead chicken.
- Things programmers do that they know should not work but they try anyway, and which sometimes actually work, such as recompiling everything.
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