overrun screw
:overrun screw: n. [C programming] A variety of fandango on core
produced by scribbling past the end of an array (C implementations
typically have no checks for this error). This is relatively benign and
easy to spot if the array is static; if it is auto, the result may be to
smash the stack
-- often resulting in heisenbug
of the most
diabolical subtlety. The term `overrun screw' is used esp. of scribbles
beyond the end of arrays allocated with `malloc(3)'; this typically
trashes the allocation header for the next block in the arena
producing massive lossage within malloc and often a core dump on the
next operation to use `stdio(3)' or `malloc(3)' itself. See spam
overrun
; see also memory leak
, memory smash
, aliasing bug
precedence lossage
, fandango on core
, secondary damage
= P =
=====
Jargon File Version 4.3.1, 29 JUN 2001 =
Skip to a random entry
Back to Liz's page