While this is by no means a complete glossary of all homebrew-related terms and phrases, this glossary should make navigating the DS homebrew community a little easier.
| adapter | Hardware designed to act as a bridge between a device and another piece of hardware. DS homebrew is made possible due to adapters that allow the DS to access and load software on a memory card. |
| brick | A non-functioning DS, likely due to a firmware error. |
| CycloDS Evolution | An all-in-one Slot-1 adapter for DS homebrew. |
| DLDI | Dynamically Linked Device Interface. A software patch that allows programs written for one flash card to operate on others. New flash cards come with DLDI functionality onboard, so you no longer have to manually patch your software to operate it. |
| DSOrganize | A multifunction program that includes organizer, calendar, and notepad functionality as well as a web browser, a sound recorder, media players and many other components. |
| dump | See ROM. |
| emulator | A computer program that plays GBA and/or DS software, such as no$gba and DeSmuME. |
| firmware | The base program embedded in a device that controls its operations. |
| flashcart | Generic term for a rewritable Slot-1 or Slot-2 cart. |
| FlashMe | Hacked firmware for the DS that replaces the need for PassMe (see definition below). Mostly obsolete since the development of independent Slot-1 cards, but sometimes used to bypass the DS's health and safety warning screen. |
| GBA expansion pack | See Slot-2 accessory. |
| homebrew | Non-retail or licensed applications and games written and supported by unofficial developers |
| M3 Real | An all-in-one Slot-1 adapter for DS homebrew. |
| MicroSD | Very tiny flash memory card (11.0mm x 15.0mm). |
| MoonShell | An audio/video/still image player that is preinstalled on many Slot-1 cards, and is the standard for media playback on the DS. |
| NoPass | The final iteration of the PassMe style of homebrew device before the advent of fully independent Slot-1 cards. A Slot-1 device that runs code from a Slot-2 card without the need for a connected commercial DS card. Obsolete since the development of Slot-1 cards. |
| PassCard | See PassMe. |
| PassMe | Device that directs the DS to boot from the GBA slot in order to access Slot-2 adapters. Obsolete since the development of independent Slot-1 cards. |
| R4 | Revolution for DS/R4DS. An all-in-one Slot-1 adapter for DS homebrew. |
| ROM | Read Only Memory. Used in game cartridges. Also used to describe game backups. |
| SDHC | Secure Digital High Capacity. Larger (over 4GB) SD cards. |
| Slot-1 | The slot used to run DS games. Slot-1 flash cards are extremely easy to use and do not require any complicated boot methods or additional hardware. However, they are incapable of running GBA homebrew without a Slot-2 accessory. Also refers to the actual card that fits into said slot. |
| Slot-2 | The GBA slot, used for 1) GBA games and homebrew, and/or 2) older homebrew solutions employed before Slot-1 flashcarts were available. Also refers to the actual cart that fits into said slot. |
| Slot-2 accessory | A Slot-2 cart that allows Slot-1 cards like the R4 and CycloDS to run GBA homebrew. |
| SuperCard | Well known Slot-2 adapter, in wide use prior to existence of Slot-1 devices. The creators now manufacture Slot-1 devices. |
Looking for more information? Check out our homebrew guide.
