What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Wildcard vs Wildcarding - What's the difference?

wildcard | wildcarding |

In computing|lang=en terms the difference between wildcard and wildcarding

is that wildcard is (computing) a character that takes the place of any other character or string that is not known or specified while wildcarding is (computing) the use of wildcard characters for partial matching.

As nouns the difference between wildcard and wildcarding

is that wildcard is (computing) a character that takes the place of any other character or string that is not known or specified while wildcarding is (computing) the use of wildcard characters for partial matching.

wildcard

English

Noun

(Wildcard character) (en noun)
  • (computing) A character that takes the place of any other character or string that is not known or specified.
    • In searching, if ''a*m'' finds ''amalgam'', ''atom'' and ''alum'', then * is acting as a wildcard .
  • (also written wild card) An uncontrolled or unpredictable element.
  • * 2008 February 8, Eli Kintisch, "From Gasoline Alleys to Electric Avenues" [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/319/5864/750a], Science 319(5864), page 751,
    • There are several technical wildcards , such as how the larger battery packs--four times larger than those of the Prius--will withstand the rigors of city driving,
  • (also written wild card) An element, often deliberately concealed, which is withheld for contingency.
  • (sports, card games)
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=June 28 , author=Piers Newbery , title=Wimbledon 2011: Sabine Lisicki beats Marion Bartoli , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=German wildcard Sabine Lisicki conquered her nerves to defeat France's Marion Bartoli and take her amazing Wimbledon run into the semi-finals.}}

    Usage notes

    A wild card in card games is usually written as two separate words. The computing term is written as one compound word.

    wildcarding

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • (computing) The use of wildcard characters for partial matching.