Bug (Bug) is an error in the computer program

The term "bug" is usually used concerning the errors proving at a program runtime stage in difference, for example, from errors of design or syntax errors. The report containing information on a bug also is called the report on an error or the report on a problem (engl. bug report). The report on a critical problem (engl. crash) causing abnormal termination of the program is called a kresh-contango (engl. crash report).

"Bugs" are localized and eliminated in the course of testing and debugging of the program.

Bug also call a certain type of a marker on indicators.

Etymology

Legend of a moth and day of the tester

The legend is widespread that on September 9, 1945 the scientists of Harvard University testing the Mark II Aiken Relay Calculator computer found the moth which got stuck between contacts of the electromechanical relay, and Grace Hopper said this term. The taken insect was pasted by an adhesive tape in the technical diary, with an accompanying text: "First actual case of bug being found" (the engl. "first real case when the bug was found"). It is considered that this amusing fact laid the foundation for use of the word "debugging" in "debugging of the program" value, however, most likely, the phrase is a pun.

Entry in the technical magazine

In fact this case occurred on September 9, 1947, but not 1945, years. The well-known moth was transferred to the museum of ADP equipment where it also is stored still. Under its stand there is a text which says that this moth became the first of the detected bugs in the history of the computer equipment. Since then this word became wide to be used by programmers around the world. And that day when the insect was revealed, it was decided to make a professional holiday of all testers.

Historic facts

Meanwhile, the word "bug" in modern value was used long before it by personnel of the cable and telephone companies concerning malfunctions with electric equipment and radio engineering. During World War II the word "bugs" were called problems with radar electronics. In 1878 Thomas Edison wrote:

It repeated with all my inventions again and again. The intuition was the first step, it was followed by flash, then there were obstacles — and they disappeared, then there were Bugs — small defects and difficulties so are called — and months of permanent search, researches and a hard work to success or failure are necessary.

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Use

Popular expression "Is not a bug, it is a feature" it is necessary to take literally: it is not an error, it is the provided feature of a program runtime. As to the software similar copyright laws, as are applied to text publications, the program error legally is only opinion of the author.

Search and error correction

Main article: Bughunter

For debugging of the program (engl. debugging) by software developers special programs debuggers (engl. debugger) are used. For example, in the Windows operating system it is possible to use the WinDbg program from a packet of Microsoft Debugging Tools for Windows. For GNU/Linux and some other UNIX-LIKE operating systems there is a debugger of GDB (GNU Debugger).

Reports on errors

The bulk of bugs is usually debugged at a stage of compilation and testing of the program. However some part of errors nevertheless gets to release and software is shown on computers of end users in use. For quality improvement of the software use special programs which purpose — to catch an error in the target application, to collect necessary information on its symptoms and to send the report on the Internet to developers of this software.

For example, the Dr. Watson utility which by default catches errors in applications of the user is built in the Windows operating system and sends the report to the special server of Microsoft company. Also it is possible to give similar libraries Breakpad as an example ^[2] and CrashRpt ^[3].

Notes