Glossary

This page serves as a glossary of commonly used terms frequently encountered when working with homebrew.

B

Brick

A console that is no longer working due to damaged hardware or an error with the internal software/filesystem. Usually the fault of the owner. Sometimes recoverable through special means.

C

C

Without going to assembler, one of the lowest-level languages used in homebrew. C code is far more portable than assembler, and most standard libraries have been ported to the different console development toolchains.

C++

An object-oriented language homebrew developers program in, essentially an upgrade to C. Applications built in C++ can, for the most part, use all the same libraries that C programs can use.

CFW

CFW, or Custom Firmware, refers to third-party-built firmware for the Sony PSP. Custom firmware generally allows the PSP to execute unsigned software (homebrew), and backup ISOs.

E

ELF

The Executable and Linkable Format (formerly named Extensible Linking Format), is a common standard file format for executable files.

F

Firmware

Fixed low-level code written directly into a programmable chip. The bootloader that loads the PS3 hypervisor or that loads up the memory card screen on the PlayStation are examples of firmware. High-level applications like the Wii Channel Browser or DS menu are not firmware.

I

ISO

An ISO file is a exact digital copy of an optical medium, such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or UMD. It usually has the exact capacity of the data stored on-disc at an uncompressed size, so can often be compressed to a smaller file.

O

OFW

OFW, or Official Firmware, refers to the Sony-built firmware for the Sony PSP.