Glossary

This page serves as a glossary of commonly used Wii homebrew terms. Think of it as a mini dictionary for words you'll hear a lot while reading through our wiki. It was started to help newcomers to the homebrew scene better understand our jargon.

A

AES

Stands for Advanced Encryption Standard. It is used for encryption on the Wii.

AES-CBC-128

The CBC (Cipher Block Chaining) mode of AES with a 128 bit key, that is used on the Wii.

B

Backup

A game burned to a dvd disc in order to be used if the original copy of the game should be come unusable. Since the same methods are used to run backup copies as pirate copies, they are not discussed here.

BASIC

An old programming language very few apps are programmed in via a BASIC to C converter and compiler.

Bit

Stands for Binary Digit; it represents smallest amount of digital data possible. It is either a 0 or a 1.

Binary

A term used to describe the base 2 number system when used with electronics.

BootMii

Team Twiizers' latest project. It is basically a replacement for boot2 that loads and runs code before the system menu.

Broadway

The codename for the primary PowerPC processor.

Bushing

A predominant member of Team Twiizers.

Byte

Eight bits, on all modern processors; the smallest number of bits that can be sent to/from memory at a time.

C

C

A language homebrew developers program in.

C++

An object oriented language homebrew developers program in. Like its name suggests, C++ is essentially a step up from C.

cIOS

A customized/hacked version of an IOS.

cMIOS

A customized/hacked version of an MIOS.

Codemii

The development blog of the HomeBrew Browser.

Compile

To turn multiple files of source code into another format of one or more files.

D

DevkitPro

The SDK all homebrew developers use to create apps.

DOL

Main executable file format for both Wii and Gamecube.

E

ELF

An executable file format for the Wii. Homebrew Channel support for older versions of this type of executable has been dropped in favor of the DOL format.

H

Hackmii

The development blog of Team Twiizers.

Hexadecimal (Hex)

A term used to describe the base 16 number system, in which each digit represents four bits. After the digits 0-9, the letters A-F are used to represent the values 10-15. Hexadecimal is the preferred format for displaying binary data, as it is easy to mentally convert to/from binary and uses only 2 characters per byte.

Homebrew

Unofficial software created for a platform by its users, without the involvement of the vendor. While some vendors support or ignore homebrew, most video game companies (including Nintendo) disapprove and make efforts to prevent it, due to the potential for unofficial software to brick the system or be used for piracy.

Homebrew applications

Generally refers to an application ran on the Wii via the Homebrew Channel.

Homebrew Browser

A homebrew application that lets users download homebrew applications directly to their SD card without the need to use a PC.

Homebrew Channel

A channel created by Team Twiizers that allows you to run exectutable .dol and .elf files.

Homebrew Developer

Refers to someone who develops Wii homebrew applications.

I

IOS

Input/Output System. These programs run on the Starlet coprocessor and control access to Wii hardware and security.

IRC

Internet Relay Chat; that is, realtime text-based chat over the Internet.

L

Library

Generally given the extension *.a, a library is a compilation of source code that may be linked into a program.

M

Marcan

A predominant member of Team Twiizers.

MIOS

The IOS used in Gamecube mode, responsible for locking out all new hardware to make the system functionally identical to a Gamecube.

Modchip

A hardware device that alters some of the Wiis natural functions.

N

NAND

Typically refers to the Wii's internal storage, which uses a NAND-based flash chip. The term actually stands for Not-AND; an electronic gate whose output is high only when all inputs are low.

S

SD Card

A common type of memory card, used by the Wii, digital cameras, music players, etc. Stands for Secure Digital.

Starlet

The unofficial name for the ARM coprocessor located in the Hollywood, which is responsible for the peripheral access and security control.

Svpe

A very talented coder. He created the libfat library which allows for support of SD and SDHC cards as well as USB devices in Wii homebrew. He also wrote a version of DVDX that installs on firmware 3.4

T

Team Twiizers

A team of people who have created many hacks for the Wii including the Homebrew Channel, the Twilight Hack, and DVDX.

TMD

See "Title metadata".

Title metadata

A format used for storing metadata about a title and its installed contents, including which contents they consist of and their SHA1 hashes.

Title

A title is a Wii game on a disc, a Wii channel or a virtual console game. A title is identified by a unique title ID, an 8 byte (4 character) long code used for title identification.

Teknecal

Runs the HomeBrew Browser.

Twilight Hack

A hacked save game with a loader embedded in it for the Wii game The Legend of Zelda the Twilight Princess. The file exploits a buffer overflow to take control of the system and run a program found on the SD card, such as the Homebrew Channel installer.

V

VC

See "Virtual Console".

Virtual Console

A platform made by Nintendo that allows retro games to be played on the Wii.

W

WAD

An archive format channels are contained in.

Warez

Refers to any pirated digital content.

WiiWare

A platform started by Nintendo that allows developers to cheaply create and then sell original content at low prices (compared to the prices of brand new Wii games).