Magic stands for unknown mechanisms. Once mechanisms of magic are revealed and understood, it becomes [science](science.md). In [programming](programming.md) and technology in general the term has negative connotation as it's just a different word for [obscurity](obscurity.md). To give an example: "magic constant" is a specific [numeric](number.md) value in code that somehow makes the program "[just work](just_werks.md)" without it being clear how or why -- this is considered a "bad programming practice".