Software defect (nonfiction): Difference between revisions
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[[File:First_computer_bug.jpg|thumb|A page from the Harvard Mark II electromechanical computer's log, featuring a dead moth that was removed from the device.]]A '''software defect''' (or '''bug''') is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways. | [[File:First_computer_bug.jpg|thumb|A page from the Harvard Mark II electromechanical computer's log, featuring a dead moth that was removed from the device.]]A '''software defect''' (or '''bug''') is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways. | ||
== Description == | |||
A program that contains a large number of defects, and/or defects that seriously interfere with its functionality, is said to be ''buggy''. | A program that contains a large number of defects, and/or defects that seriously interfere with its functionality, is said to be ''buggy''. | ||
== Commentary == | |||
In his memoirs, pioneering computer scientist [[Maurice Wilkes (nonfiction)]] wrote: | In his memoirs, pioneering computer scientist [[Maurice Wilkes (nonfiction)]] wrote: | ||
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== Fiction cross-reference == | == Fiction cross-reference == | ||
* [[Buggy Software]] - song | |||
* [[Crimes against mathematical constants]] | * [[Crimes against mathematical constants]] | ||
* [[Gnomon algorithm]] | * [[Gnomon algorithm]] | ||
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* [[Software Crisis (nonfiction)]] | * [[Software Crisis (nonfiction)]] | ||
External links | == External links == | ||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bug Software bug] @ Wikipedia | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bug Software bug] @ Wikipedia | ||
Latest revision as of 05:21, 19 January 2021
A software defect (or bug) is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways.
Description
A program that contains a large number of defects, and/or defects that seriously interfere with its functionality, is said to be buggy.
Commentary
In his memoirs, pioneering computer scientist Maurice Wilkes (nonfiction) wrote:
I well remember when this realization first came on me with full force. The EDSAC was on the top floor of the building and the tape-punching and editing equipment one floor below. [...] It was on one of my journeys between the EDSAC room and the punching equipment that "hesitating at the angles of stairs" the realization came over me with full force that a good part of the remainder of my life was going to be spent in finding errors in my own programs.
In the News
Opening card of the US army WWII short animated films "Private Snafu".
Fiction cross-reference
- Buggy Software - song
- Crimes against mathematical constants
- Gnomon algorithm
- Gnomon Chronicles
- Killer Poke - software defect for hire and contract killer for Murder, Incorporated 1.1.
- Pi disaster
Nonfiction cross-reference
External links
- Software bug @ Wikipedia