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Glite Dictionary
runtime error

runtime error

4.6
An unexpected problem that happens while a program runs because of wrong input or actions
  • noun
  • /ˈrʌnˌtaɪm ˈɛrər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : error de ejecución
  • The sourcelocation part of a syntax object automatically connects the result of macro expansion back to the original source; if a runtime error occurs in the code generated from world.rkt, then the error can point back to the relevant source.

Examples

  • I added a reference for SQLite for WINRT and C++ library, but I am still not able to create a database in the JavaScript app; it is throwing a "JavaScript runtime error: Class not registered" error. How can I fix this?

    Blog text (30)

  • Many languages provide type checking or other static types to ensure the absence of certain runtime errors.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Often this data is enough to induce runtime errors in the device, exposing potential vulnerabilities.

    Blog text (9)

  • The code itself works fine if compiled into an executable and run; but if compiled into a DLL and used in another project, I get a runtime error of access violation.

    Blog text (6)

  • When the software crashed, it displayed a message indicating a runtime error had occurred during the execution.

  • The developer spent hours debugging the application to identify the runtime error that was causing it to crash unexpectedly.

  • She was frustrated because the program encountered a runtime error whenever she tried to save her work.

Synonyms

error
vsruntime error
  • Specialized
300 3.0

A computer problem that makes a program give a wrong result or stop

refers specifically to problems occurring during program execution
computer error
vsruntime error
4 2.8

A problem in a computer that makes it give wrong or unexpected results

is limited to faults arising while a program runs
software error
vsruntime error
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A problem in a computer program that makes it give wrong results

occurs during program execution rather than at design time
run-time error
vsruntime error
  • Specialized
5.5

A problem that happens while a program is running because of wrong data or bad instructions

is written without a hyphen in modern usage

Surface Forms

runtime error singular
runtime errors plural

Morphology

runtime + error

The meaning 'an error occurring while a program runs' is directly and transparently composed from 'runtime' (happening when the program runs) + 'error' (a mistake), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the technical sense. This is a literal compound common in computing and has clear parallels in other languages, making it accessible to a B1 learner familiar with the words.

Etymology

The term runtime error comes from the simple image of a program that is already running and then something goes wrong: the part run is the time the program is active and error is the problem that appears. So, a runtime error is a problem that happens 'while the program runs', making the program stop or not work correctly.