What am I? I am in theaters and computer programs

Question

I am in theaters
and in computer programs
I sometimes throw things,
and at other times help fix broken parts.
When away I might reject you,
but on election day you are sure to hear from me.

What am I?

Gefilte Fish · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-04T15:08:06.883

35

Cast/Casting

I am in theaters

Casting for a role

and in computer programs

Casting/Typecasting (f.e. integer to string)

I sometimes throw things,

To cast = to throw

and at other times help fix broken parts.

Putting a broken limb in cast helps healing.

When away I might reject you,

If you don't show up at casting you might get rejected.

but in election day you are sure to hear from me.

You can cast your vote/ballot.

edited Mar 04 '19 at 15:08

answered Mar 04 '19 at 14:49

Gefilte Fish

466
3
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2

"Break a leg" is often said to actors. This may hint to a better answer to one of the lines. – pt314 Mar 04 '19 at 15:04
@pt314 Thank you! Just edited my answer according your suggestion. – Gefilte Fish Mar 04 '19 at 15:08
1

This is correct! There is a better explanation for the 5th line too. – yaara Mar 04 '19 at 15:10
3

Line 5 - maybe this: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162222/ ? – Chris Sunami Mar 04 '19 at 16:01
line 5: rot13 pnfg bss = gb yrnir (tb njnl), be n erwrpg – djs Mar 04 '19 at 17:45
throw things might be an error in programming when cast fails – Jordan.J.D Mar 04 '19 at 18:50
3

Line 5--likely a reference to this phrase. – DLosc Mar 04 '19 at 21:13
Now who came in first - you or @ChrisPott ? – Brandon_J Mar 04 '19 at 21:16
(This answer was first by about two minutes) – Rubio Mar 04 '19 at 21:24

hexomino · Answer 2 · 2019-03-04T13:56:12.253

15

Edit: Answer before new lines added.

I think the answer might be

Method

I am in theaters

Method acting

and in computer programs

Method - a procedure in object-oriented programming

I sometimes throw things,

In computer programming, methods can throw exceptions

and at other times help fix broken parts.

By definition, a method is a particular procedure for accomplishing or approaching something, especially a systematic or established one, this can include fixing broken items.

edited Mar 04 '19 at 13:56

answered Mar 04 '19 at 11:25

hexomino

135,910
10
384
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3

OP edited some more lines into their question. Seems like your answer isn't right, but they could have commented here to let you know ... – Rand al'Thor Mar 04 '19 at 13:32
I like your answer but it isn't quite right – yaara Mar 04 '19 at 13:35

score 9 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 04 '19 at 14:51

9

cast

I am in theaters

the cast

and in computer programs

cast exceptions

I sometimes throw things

cast

and at other times help fix broken parts

plaster cast

When away I might reject you

castaway

but in election day you are sure to hear from me

cast a vote

answered Mar 04 '19 at 14:51

Chris Pott

91
2

this is the best one so far – Mar 04 '19 at 16:27

score 6 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 04 '19 at 14:00

I think the answer might be

Call

I am in theaters

Casting calls for roles

and in computer programs

Calls to methods or functions

I sometimes throw things,

Programming: calls to functions can throw Exceptions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exception_handling#Exception_handling_in_software)

and at other times help fix broken parts.

Could be a call to or from a technician

when away I might reject you

You can reject phone calls.

but in election day you are sure to hear from me.

Robocalls for candidates

Ah, not the right answer but close! – yaara Mar 04 '19 at 14:28 — yaara, Mar 04 '19 at 14:28

sebschavoir · Answer 5 · 2019-03-04T14:25:53.807

5

Could it be

Mock

I am in theaters

Mock play

and in computer programs

Mock testing

I sometimes throw things,

Mock exceptions

but in election day you are sure to hear from me.

Mock elections

edited Mar 04 '19 at 14:25

answered Mar 04 '19 at 14:20

sebschavoir

51
3

as I see you are struggling getting your answer well formatted. you can add
to make a newline ;) – Flying_whale Mar 04 '19 at 14:24
Besides that though, welcome to Puzzling SE! Very creative ;) – Prince North Læraðr Mar 04 '19 at 14:46

JMP · Answer 6 · 2019-03-04T13:57:19.210

4

Are you:

Bacteria

I am in theaters

Operating theaters, although you shouldn't be

and in computer programs

as viruses

I sometimes throw things,

projectile vomiting caused by unhealthy bacteria

and at other times help fix broken parts.

benign bacteria can help the body heal, for example, yoghurt.

When away I might reject you,

a reference to chemotaxis. WPQuote: This is important for bacteria to . . . flee from poisons.

but in election day you are sure to hear from me.

irritable bowel syndrome is often caused by bacteria.

edited Mar 04 '19 at 13:57

answered Mar 04 '19 at 11:47

JMP

35,612
7
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I added some more lines to the riddle – yaara Mar 04 '19 at 13:42
@pirate; I noticed :) – JMP Mar 04 '19 at 13:44

score 3 · Answer 7 · answered Mar 04 '19 at 13:53

I am in theaters

Routine - actors and dancers have routines. Comedians have routines, which is an act.

and in computer programs

Routine - computers have routines. A program that is run repeatedly.

I sometimes throw things,

Routine - a throwing routine for catchers? still looking

and at other times help fix broken parts.

Routine - a routine can be used to run maintenance on something.

When away I might reject you,

Routine - when you're away you no longer have a routine

but in election day you are sure to hear from me.

Routine - not sure still searching. They have routine elections in some countries.

Hi, @Yvette Colomb Welcome on P.SE :) – Mukyuu Mar 06 '19 at 06:46 — Mukyuu, Mar 06 '19 at 06:46
@Mukyuu thanks! the HNQ drew me in :) – Mar 06 '19 at 06:46 — , Mar 06 '19 at 06:46

score 3 · Answer 8 · answered Mar 04 '19 at 20:20

I believe it's

Exit

I am in theaters

Exit stage left, exit signs are ubiquitous in theaters.

and in computer programs

All programs can exit either smoothly...

I sometimes throw things,

... or by throwing an error.

and at other times help fix broken parts.

If a program gives helpful error information while exiting, it can help to fix the program.

When away I might reject you,

You may be rejected trying to enter into an "Exit Only" door.

but in election day you are sure to hear from me.

Exit polls are often used to predict election results before the votes are tallied.

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Mar 05 '19 at 13:56

I am in theaters

Lights. Foot lights, spot lights, flood lights.

and in computer programs

The best debugging is only possible when light shines into the dark places where the bugs hide.

I sometimes throw things,

Solar sails! Laser propulsion.

and at other times help fix broken parts.

Laser welding.

When away I might reject you,

When you are depressed and sitting in the dark.

but in election day you are sure to hear from me.

The light of truth as revealed by the poles.

What am I? I am in theaters and computer programs

9 Answers9