/ˈɛrər/
noun — "an unexpected plot twist in your code that nobody asked for."
Error is a condition in computing that occurs when a program or system cannot perform a requested operation as intended. Errors can arise from invalid input, resource limitations, logical bugs, hardware faults, or unexpected environmental conditions. Detecting and handling errors is crucial to maintain software reliability, prevent crashes, and ensure proper program execution.
Technically, Error may involve:
- Syntax errors — mistakes in code that prevent compilation or interpretation.
- Runtime errors — issues that occur while a program is executing, such as division by zero or null references.
- Logical errors — flaws in program logic that produce incorrect results without crashing the system.
- Hardware or system errors — failures in memory, storage, or network that propagate as errors in software.
Examples of Error include:
- A syntax error in Python caused by a missing colon.
- A null pointer exception in Java when trying to access an uninitialized object.
- Disk read failures that trigger I/O errors in operating systems.
Conceptually, Error represents deviation from expected program behavior and is a key concept in debugging, testing, and software quality assurance. Proper error handling ensures that applications can respond gracefully, log relevant information, and recover when possible.
In practice, managing Error involves strategies like exception handling, input validation, logging, and monitoring to maintain system stability and prevent cascading failures.