Debugging :

A phase of software development where errors are identified and fixed.

Error :

The presence of some element of an operation that does not satisfy the requirements of the operation. An error when encountered causes failure, which in turn raises an exception.

See Also: Exception, Failure, Runtime Error

Error Handling :

The concept of including code in a program so that exceptions to normal operational states that occur during the program execution can be anticipated and dispatched with the least possible detrimental consequences to the use of the program and the data being worked on.

See Also: Exception, Runtime Error

Exception :

An occurrence of an abnormal condition during the execution of an operation. An exception is said to be raised when an operation fails.

See Also: Error, Failure, Runtime Error

Failure :

The inability of an operation to satisfy its purpose. When a failure occurs an exception is raised. Failures are due in large part to errors.

See Also: Error, Exception, Retry, Runtime Error

Recovery :

The process of attempting to handle an exception or runtime error. Generally, recovery consists of three possible actions: terminate processing, retry the failed operation, or resume processing with the next operation. In all cases, the environment of the program must be restored to a stable state.

See Also: Error, Exception, Failure, Retry, Runtime Error

Retry :

After an exception has been raised and the conditions of a failure corrected, an attempt is made to reexecute the failed operation.

Runtime Error :

An error that halts a program while it is executing.

Stub :

A procedure used for debugging purposes that only simulates the intended actions of the real procedure. It may display an indicating message, return a constant value, or do nothing.