Dev-null

In Unix (and Unix-like) operating systems, the /dev/null character device file is a container that disposes all data written to it, and returns nothing when read from, except the End of File (EOF) character. Because it is located in the /dev, or device, directory, it is commonly known as the 'null device.' Other synonyms include the 'black hole' and the 'bit bucket.'

It is commonly used to not show the output of programs (when they are run in scripts), and has oft been used in jokes and puns. For instance, the original BSD Daemon, drawn by Phil Foglio, featured a demon standing near a 'bit bucket.' Another usage would be on an Internet forum or IRC, when someone says something to the effect "Flames will be redirected to /dev/null."