Neil Coffey wrote:
In computer speak at least, the curly brackets are also often called "braces".
Usually if you say "brackets", people will assume you mean () unless you specify otherwise (and if you do need to specify, then yes, parenthesis is generally unambiguous in meaning the () variety).
I also got into an argument a few weeks ago with another computer programmer who said that they don't use "brackets" to refer to (). From my experience, I disagree-- for many people "brackets" can refer to either parentheses or braces, and in some contexts possible square brackets-- but it was interesting to note the other point of view.
That other point of view may just be an American one. I was a programmer for several years professionally, and I don't recall any of us ever calling any of those things braces. I think that's a pretty UK term.
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