Why are Program Errors Called “Bugs?”

Why are Program Errors Called “Bugs?”

The Origin of the Term

In 1947, Harvard University’s new electromechanical computer known as the Mark II experienced an odd series of issues. These problems lead to a distortion in the input of data, loading, and processing of multiple programs. Upon investigation, computer programmer Grace Hopper famously discovered a moth in the relay of the system which turned out to be the root of the technological errors, coining the phrase “a bug in the system.” While this is often considered the origin of the term, other historical sources suggest that Edison created the phrase all the way back in 1876. The word was first discovered in Edison’s notebooks in July of 1876 to describe a frustrating caveat in the messaging system of a combined diplex and duplex circuit intended to send messages. Following this initial note, Edison began to use the term to describe other problematic errors and since then, the term began to be used frequently within the engineering community. But why did he choose this term?

Why Call it a Bug?

The reason behind the use of the word bug to describe the problems comes from the basic fact that bugs are pests, and pests are both problematic and annoying, just like problems in a program. The term “bug trap” is also used to describe the steps taken to correct a bug problem in a system, just like you set traps for pests in and around your home.

Programmers and Exterminators

Software developers and programmers spend a significant amount of time tracking down and fixing bugs… much like exterminators do in homes. Identifying and understanding the problem first is the key to successfully reworking both situations in order to be bug/pest free. At Pointe Pest Control we are dedicated to working tirelessly so that the bugs in your home are removed and your home can run smoothly again. If you’ve discovered any bugs in your ‘home-system,’ give us a call right away and we will get straight to work solving that “system error.”

Citations

Magoun, A. and Israel, P. (2013) Did You Know? Edison Coined the Term “Bug,” IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News. Available at: https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-institute/ieee-history/did-you-know-edison-coined-the-term-bug (Accessed: April 30, 2021).