<programming> An error in the execution of a program which
occurs at run time, as opposed to a compile-time error.
A good programming language should, among other things, aim to
replace run-time errors by compile-time errors. Language
features such as strong typing help.
A good program should attempt to avoid run-time errors by, for
example, checking that their input data is sensible. Where
this is not possible, the program should attempt to detect the
error and handle it gracefully rather than just exiting via
the language or operating system's default handler. Here
again, a good language will make this easy to do (or at least
possible).
See also abort, core dump, GPF.
(1997-01-13)
Nearby terms:
Run Length Limited « run time « run-time environment « run-time error » run-time library » run-time support » run-time system
