‘..’, known as the ellipsis, is a ubiquitous punctuation mark that conveys a wide range of meanings and emotions in written text. It is composed of three evenly spaced periods and is used to indicate: 1. Ellipsis of Words or Phrases: * ‘He looked at her… she looked away.‘ (Omission of “for a moment”) * ‘I can’t believe…‘ (Omission of an exclamation or other statement) 2. Pauses or Hesitations: * ‘Well, I… I don’t know.‘ (Indicates a pause in speech or thought) * ‘The car came to a screeching halt…‘ (Creates a sense of suspense or anticipation) 3. Unfinished or Implied Thoughts: * ‘Et tu, Brute?…‘ (Famous line from Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar” suggesting betrayal) * ‘I could tell you a thing or two…‘ (Implies a secret or withheld information) 4. Omission of Cited Material: * ‘“…And so, the story ends.”‘ (Indicates the omission of a passage from a larger work) 5. Intentional Innuendo or Suggestion: * ‘She’s… quite friendly.‘ (Implies something more than just friendliness) * ‘I’ve heard some things…‘ (Suggests gossip or implied knowledge) 6. Trailing Off: * ‘The sound of the waves crashing…‘ (Indicates the speaker’s voice fading away or the thought drifting off) 7. Dramatic Emphasis: * ‘…The moment of truth.‘ (Highlights the significance of a situation) * ‘…A tale to be told.‘ (Suggests a story with undisclosed details) Usage Guidelines: * Use ellipsis sparingly to avoid creating confusion or interrupting the flow of reading. * Space the three periods evenly to distinguish them from ordinary periods. * Avoid using ellipsis in conjunction with other punctuation marks. * Consider the context and purpose of using ellipsis to convey the intended meaning effectively.In the realm of computing, the elliptical symbol of three periods, denoted as “..” or “dot-dot-dot,” holds immense significance. It serves as a powerful tool, representing a path traversal mechanism in various programming languages and file systems.
In the realm of computing, the elliptical symbol of three periods, denoted as “..” or “dot-dot-dot,” holds immense significance. It serves as a powerful tool, representing a path traversal mechanism in various programming languages and file systems. Path Traversal in Programming Languages In programming, .. serves as a shorthand notation for moving up one level in the directory hierarchy. For instance, in Python, the following code snippet: “`python os.path.join(“path”, “to”, “my”, “..”) “` would resolve to “path/to,” effectively moving up one level in the directory structure. This allows programmers to easily navigate complex file hierarchies and access parent directories. Path Traversal in File Systems File systems also leverage “..” to represent the parent directory. When users enter “..” in the command line or file explorer, they are essentially traversing up one level in the file hierarchy. This functionality is particularly useful for navigating through nested directories and quickly accessing parent folders. Other Uses Beyond path traversal, .. finds applications in various other contexts: * Ellipsis: In mathematics and programming, .. is used as an ellipsis to indicate that a sequence of elements has been omitted. * Variable Argument Lists: In some programming languages, .. can be used as a variable argument list, representing a collection of arguments that are passed to a function without explicitly specifying their names. * Regular Expressions: In regular expressions, .. represents an optional character match, meaning that the preceding character can appear once or not at all. Security Implications While .. provides a convenient way to traverse directory hierarchies, it can also pose security risks if not used carefully. By manipulating path traversal mechanisms, attackers can potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive files and systems. Hence, it is essential to implement proper validation and authorization mechanisms to prevent such vulnerabilities. Conclusion The three periods of .. serve as a versatile symbol in computing, facilitating path traversal in programming languages and file systems. Its ability to navigate directory hierarchies seamlessly makes it a powerful tool, but it should be used with caution to mitigate potential security risks.
Public Outrage Erupts over Police Brutality The recent death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked outrage and protests across the United States. Floyd was killed by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Video footage of the incident has gone viral, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for justice. Floyd’s death has reignited debates about systemic racism within law enforcement and the excessive use of force against people of color. Protests have erupted in dozens of cities, with demonstrators demanding police accountability and an end to police brutality. Lawsmakers have proposed reforms, including body cameras for all officers, independent investigations of police misconduct, and restrictions on the use of lethal force. President Trump initially defended the police and condemned the protesters, but has since softened his stance. He has ordered the deployment of federal law enforcement to quell the unrest, but critics have accused him of further escalating tensions. The protests are ongoing, and there is growing pressure for meaningful change in the policing system. Activists are calling for the defunding or abolition of police departments, while others advocate for increased training and community engagement. The tragedy of George Floyd’s death has shone a spotlight on the deep divisions in American society and the urgent need for reform in law enforcement. The outcome of the protests and the reforms that follow will have a profound impact on the future of policing and race relations in the United States.
