Editing Magic number (programming) (section)

=== In interfaces {{anchor|Magic numbers in interfaces}} ===
Magic numbers are common in [[API function]]s and [[interface (computing)|interface]]s across many [[operating system]]s, including [[DOS]], [[Windows]] and [[NetWare]]:

;Examples
* [[IBM PC]]-compatible [[BIOS]]es use magic values <code>0000</code> and <code>1234</code> to decide if the system should count up memory or not on reboot, thereby performing a cold or a warm boot. Theses values are also used by [[EMM386]] memory managers intercepting boot requests.<ref name="Paul_2002_MAGIC"/> BIOSes also use magic values <code>55 AA</code> to determine if a disk is bootable.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://neosmart.net/wiki/mbr-boot-process/ |title=The BIOS/MBR Boot Process |date=2015-01-25 |website=NeoSmart Knowledgebase |language=en-US |access-date=2019-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326024702/https://neosmart.net/wiki/mbr-boot-process/ |archive-date=26 March 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The [[MS-DOS]] disk cache [[SMARTDRV]] (codenamed "Bambi") uses magic values BABE and EBAB in API functions.<ref name="Paul_2002_MAGIC"/>
* Many [[DR-DOS]], [[Novell DOS]] and [[OpenDOS]] drivers developed in the former ''European Development Centre'' in the UK use the value 0EDC as magic token when invoking or providing additional functionality sitting on top of the (emulated) standard DOS functions, NWCACHE being one example.<ref name="Paul_2002_MAGIC"/>