Ad hoc

Ad hoc is a Latin phrase which means for this [purpose]. It generally signifies a solution that has been tailored to a specific purpose, such as a tailor-made suit, a handcrafted network protocol, and specific-purpose equation and the like.

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In computer networking, ad-hoc is a connection method for wireless LANs that requires no base station — devices discover others within range to form a network "for those" computers. See IEEE 802.11. The alternative is infrastructure, with a base station that manages the network for its range.

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Ad hoc is also used to describe a particular type of committee; one which is formed to deal with a particular task, and disbanded after the completion of this.