A persistent error in software or hardware. If the bug is in software, it can be corrected by changing the program. If the bug is in hardware, new circuits have to be designed.
Although the derivation of bug is generally attributed to the moth that was found squashed between the points of an electromechanical relay in a computer in the 1940s, the term goes back to the 1800s to refer to flaws in mechanical systems. See buggy, bug fix, software bug, broken and Web bug. Contrast with glitch.
A Note from the Author
On October 19, 1992, I found my first "real bug." When I fired up my laser printer, it printed blotchy pages. Upon inspection, I found a bug lying belly up in the trough below the corona wire. The printer worked fine after removing it!
Although the derivation of bug is generally attributed to the moth that was found squashed between the points of an electromechanical relay in a computer in the 1940s, the term goes back to the 1800s to refer to flaws in mechanical systems. See buggy, bug fix, software bug, broken and Web bug. Contrast with glitch.
A Note from the Author
On October 19, 1992, I found my first "real bug." When I fired up my laser printer, it printed blotchy pages. Upon inspection, I found a bug lying belly up in the trough below the corona wire. The printer worked fine after removing it!
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- On deck from MS: Four 'important' patches but nothing for IE
- Next Tuesday, Microsoft plans to ship four security updates for multiple flaws affecting Windows, Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Exchange Server but the absence of fixes for publicly known Internet Explorer issues is causing raised eyebrows among security professionals. According to the company's advance notice for July's...
- Blog posts 2008-07-03
- Apple caught neglecting iPhone security
- If you're waiting on iPhone 2 to standardize your business on the awesome new device (yeah, I'll be on line to buy one), you might want to pay attention to the conspicuous absence of iPhone security patches over the last four months. As WaPo's Brian Krebs reports,...
- Blog posts 2008-07-03
- Can Mozilla's security metrics project end the patch-counting nonsense?
- In partnership with indie security consultant Rich Mogull left Mozilla has launched a valuable Security Metrics Project that could help to -- we can only hope -- put an end to the silly notion that patch-counting helps to determine a product's security posture. The idea is...
- Blog posts 2008-07-03
- Freeway Express (php)
- Whether you are an HTML pro, a designer with traditional training and work-experience or a novice to the exciting world of the Web Freeways integrated design environment makes life easy. Offering advanced functionality blended with a superbly accessible user interface, Freeway is designed to encompass the whole workflow; including the...
- Software downloads 2008-07-02
- Freeway Pro (php)
- A purpose-built page layout application for the Web, Freeway gives you all the legendary ease-of-use and features that launched the desktop publishing revolution. With Freeway, you can quickly and effortlessly lay out your Web site, embed images and content, then publish your work as clean, standards-compliant HTML, and upload to...
- Software downloads 2008-07-02
- ClicksAndWhistles (exe)
- ClicksAndWhistles is a free IRC client for Windows. It supports multiple server connections and identities. Desktop and tabbed windows, connection explorer and connection monitor, themes and color schemes including PNG backgrounds and outline fonts. Support for unicode (UTF-8) and customizable messages is included. Full text formatting support is included...
- Software downloads 2008-07-02
- IMCD Business Backup (exe)
- Protect your critical business information. Business Backup by IMCD is the only software that makes completely operational and usable backup copies of your critical business information. There is no software to reinstall and reconfigure just so you can see your information. IMCD makes portable, usable backup copies ready to share...
- Software downloads 2008-07-01
- Apple plugs 25 Mac OS X security vulnerabilities
- Apple plugs 25 Mac OS X security vulnerabilitiesAnother 25?Wow, how come people are finding so many holes in OS X? Has anything changed? There never used to be so many security vulnerabilities in OS X or could it simply be that they've [b]always[/b] been there and they've simply never been...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-30
- Exploit code released for unpatched IE 7 vulnerability
- Another day, another gaping hole affecting fully patched versions of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser. According to a warning from US-CERT, proof-of-concept exploit code has been published for a new zero-day bug that can be used for a variety of malicious attacks against Windows users running IE 6,...
- Blog posts 2008-06-30
- Has Google demoted FeedBurner?
- Has Google demoted FeedBurner?It's not Feedburner......it's Google as a whole. Have you noticed? Customer service doesn't exist. Not for Gmail, not for Calendar, not for Analytics, and not for Feedburner. I have had a very serious bug in Calendar (a deleted event not clearing from my iCal subscription, despite...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-30
- My 15 minutes with Bill Gates, and how the Web was born
- Once upon a time, when Bill Gates still flew commercial and I was a budding journalist in need of a haircut, I had a number of opportunities to interview and otherwise interact with Bill Gates. It was often contentious, always intriguing, and more often than not frustrating as well. Part...
- Blog posts 2008-06-30
- (Linux's dirty little secret)
- (Linux's dirty little secret)Possible workaroundI am also new to Ubuntu, although I have used early RedHat versions on a server. But Ubuntu is based on the Debian Linux release which uses a different package manager aptitude than Redhat's RPM. If you cannot find an apt-get compatible package, you may be...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-30
- Windows Vista, meet my Mother-In-Law.
- Windows Vista, meet my Mother-In-Law.Truth must be toldYou have to be honest with her. Just tell her the truth and she will understand. It might take a longer time but once she knows how to use a PC I bet you she will get the point.Try this:The computer is fine....
- Discussion threads 2008-06-30
- MP3 Videoraptor (exe)
- Imagine: Every music title you've ever wanted as an MP3 file on your hard disk instantly. Tens of thousands of MP3 files on-demand automatically. Be greedy! You can even get the corresponding music videos to boot! MP3 Videoraptor enables you to automatically tune and simultaneously record from many Web 2.0...
- Software downloads 2008-06-30
- KingConvert for AVI (zip)
- KingConvert for Xvid Movie lets you easily and quickly convert all popular video formats like AVI, MPG, MPEG, DAT, MOV, ASF, FLV to Xvid Movie video AVI format. And the Kingconvert to Xvid Movie helps you convert files, DVD, CD, VCD to Xvid Movie movie with high quality and fast...
- Software downloads 2008-06-30
- Adobe AIR
- Adobe AIR is a cross-operating system runtime being developed by Adobe that allows developers to leverage their existing web development skills (Flash, Flex, HTML, JavaScript, Ajax) to build and deploy rich Internet applications RIAs to the desktop. AIR enables developers to create applications that combine the benefits of Web applications--network...
- Software downloads 2008-06-30
- Critical security alert issued for Tor
- If you use Tor for anonymity/privacy on the Web, you might want to pay attention to this critical security announcement from project leader Roger Dingledine. According to the advisory, a known vulnerability in the Debian GNU/Linux distribution's OpenSSL package could allow an attacker to figure out private...
- Blog posts 2008-06-27
- Internet Explorer 'feature' causing drive-by malware attacks
- Internet Explorer 'feature' causing drive-by malware attacksNo surprise hereEver single vulnerability in IE is due to a built in feature.In fact, IE itself can be considered a "zero day" attack friendly vector. The primary point of failure in IT security.what version?what version?RE: Internet Explorer 'feature' causing drive-by malware attacks[i]taking advantage...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-27
- CleverTrack (zip)
- CleverTrack is an extremely powerful tool designed for test case management, quality assurance and bug tracking. CleverTrack has all the necessary administrative functions associated with planning, control and evaluation of tests. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
- Software downloads 2008-06-27
- Dustan Soul Adventures CD/DVD Creator (exe)
- Create your Custom Business Card or full size CDs that share the Gospel of Jesus. Dustan Soul Adventures is a multimedia, interactive; fully Customizable Adventure program that uses Microsoft Accessibility options such as text to speech, and a built in artificial intelligence, to compares what you believe today with what...
- Software downloads 2008-06-27
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Windows Vista on PCs with Intel Centrino Pro or Intel vPro Processor Technology
-
Intel is working with Microsoft to deliver an integrated, validated solution for notebook and desktop systems that gives users the performance they need for Windows Vista.
- Download the solution brief now >>
The Green Enterprise
-
- A look into the enterprise to explore eco-friendly practices and innovations. In this ZDNet video series learn about what's motivating green tech, and how green technologies are impacting IT. 0:42
-
Harnessing the power of waves
3:13
-
Planting solar gardens
5:06
-
Fill your car for $1.10 a gallon?
1:43
- All series videos »
