Debugging statements inserted into a program that emit output
or log indicators of the program's state to a file so you
can see where it dies or pin down the cause of surprising
behaviour. The term is probably a reference to the Hansel and
Gretel story from the Brothers Grimm; in several variants, a
character leaves a trail of bread crumbs so as not to get lost
in the woods.
[Jargon File]
Nearby terms:
branch to Fishkill « Brazil « BRB « bread crumbs » breadth first search » break » break-even point
