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Alice and Bob: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
[[File:0.jpg|frame|Alice and Bob <ref>cartoon by John Richardson in ''Physics World'', March 1998</ref>]]
When the interaction between two hypothetical characters is needed to explain or describe some system, they are nearly always called [[Alice Allusion|Alice]] and [[Everything's Better with Bob|Bob]]. '''Alice and Bob''' - A and B. This duo originally started out as a standardized way to explain cryptography. Over time, the duo has been adopted in explanations of mathematics, physics, quantum effects, and other arcane places, but have also been seen in fiction. They are also found in a surprising number of trope definitions.
Where more than two characters are needed, other names are used, such as Carol and Charlie. Some names have acquired standard meanings, such as Eve the Eavesdropper. Lists of these can be found in Bruce Schneier's book ''Applied Cryptography'', and at [[wikipedia:Alice and Bob|that other wiki]].
Note that the most common names are "Alice", "Bob" and "Charlie/Charley". This works for most situations.
The use of Alice and Bob is suggested in General Suggestions, but some of us (notably those who really are called Alice and/or Bob) sometimes wish a little imagination could be applied. That's where [[Aerith and Bob]] come in. [[Averted Trope|Or Jim]] [[BioShock (series)|and Mary]]. Or [[Dick and Jane]].
See also [[Those Two Guys]], [[Greek Chorus]].
{{examples}}▼
▲{{examples}}
== [[Film]] ==
* Movie and TV example: ''Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice''.
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== [[Web Comics]] ==
* [http://xkcd.com/177/ Parodied] in the webcomic ''[[Xkcd]]''.
* Alice is introduced in the opening chapter of ''[[Freak Angels]]''. In the epilogue, {{spoiler|she's explaining the story to a military officer named Bob.}}
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