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bug

BUHG /bʌɡ/

nounverbB2

informaltechnical

An error or flaw in a computer program or system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways.

Specifically refers to a flaw in code or design, rather than a hardware issue or a temporary environmental problem. It's the underlying cause of many 'glitches' or 'errors'.

The story behind the word. The word 'bug' has been used to mean a 'fault' or 'imperfection' since the 19th century, predating computers. However, its specific association with computer errors is famously attributed to Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist. In 1947, she found an actual moth (a 'bug') stuck in the Harvard Mark II computer's relay, causing a malfunction. She taped the moth into her logbook, noting, 'First actual case of bug being found.' This incident cemented 'bug' in the computing lexicon.

Word relationships

defect: A 'defect' is a broader term for any imperfection, often in manufacturing or design, whereas a 'bug' specifically refers to a flaw in software code.
error: An 'error' can be a mistake made by a user or a system, while a 'bug' is an inherent flaw in the system's programming.
flaw: A general term for an imperfection; 'bug' specifies a software flaw.

feature: An intended and desirable aspect of a software program.
correctness: The state of being free from errors or flaws.

Commonly confused with

glitch: A 'bug' is the underlying code flaw, while a 'glitch' is the observable, often temporary, symptom of a problem. A bug can cause a glitch.
vulnerability: A 'bug' is any coding error. A 'vulnerability' is a specific type of bug that can be exploited for malicious purposes, leading to security breaches.

Word family

debugging (noun): the process of finding and removing bugs from computer hardware or software
debugger (noun): a person or tool that helps find and fix bugs

Collocations

software bug
critical bug
fix a bug
report a bug
debug a program
security bug

Idioms & expressions

bug out (of a place): to leave quickly
bug someone: to annoy someone

Example sentences

"We found a critical bug in the latest software release that was causing data corruption, so we had to issue an emergency patch." A software developer discussing a problem.
"The app keeps crashing whenever I try to upload a photo; I think there's a bug in the image processing module." A user reporting an issue with an application.
"The term 'debugging' originated when Grace Hopper found an actual moth (a 'bug') causing a malfunction in an early computer." A historical anecdote about early computing.

Memory hook

A 'BUG' is like an actual insect in your computer, causing it to misbehave. BUG = insect in the machine

When not to use

Do not use 'bug' for hardware failures (e.g., a broken hard drive) unless the hardware issue is caused by a software flaw. It's also too specific for general 'problems' or 'issues'.

Fun facts

The first 'computer bug' was a real moth found by Grace Hopper in 1947, leading to the terms 'bug' and 'debugging'.
Before computers, 'bug' was used in engineering to refer to a mechanical defect or problem.

Related words

glitch, defect

Explore more words

Debug, defect, anomaly, deviation, fallacy, quality control