11/1    stupid programming terminology question: what's the difference between
        a "shim" and a "stub"?
        \_ A shim fits between A and B -- typically adapting one to another.
           (Note the dictionary definition of shim.)  A stub is a function which
           coforms to its signature but does nothing, typically to be replaced
           later.  A stub may be replaced by a proxy, as well.
           \_ Note that despite this perfectly logical description,
              "stub" is often used to refer to all of the above types
              of functions.