a programming mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a programming mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an error or oversight made during the process of writing code or developing software. Example: "After reviewing the code, we discovered that a programming mistake had caused the application to crash unexpectedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

No. 1 on the list is a programming mistake that allows so-called SQL-injection attacks on Web sites, which were successfully used by the hacker group LulzSec.

The New York Times - Tech

With all of those bells and whistles, it is possible for a page's author to make a programming mistake that goes unnoticed during testing.

The New York Times - Tech

For instance, No. 1 on the list is a programming mistake that allows so-called SQL-injection attacks on Web sites, which were successfully used by the hacker group LulzSec.

The New York Times - Tech

At first, the company blamed a programming mistake by an engineer, saying his experimental software was accidentally included in Street View — and stressing that the data was never intended for or used in any Google products.

The New York Times - Tech

When German regulators forced the company to admit that the cars were sweeping up unencrypted Internet data from wireless networks, the company blamed a programming mistake where an engineer's experimental software was accidentally included in Street View.

The New York Times - Tech

The latest example came Wednesday night when the nation's third-largest stock exchange operator, BATS Global Markets, alerted its customers that a programming mistake had caused about 435,000 trades to be executed at the wrong price over the last four years, costing traders $420,000.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"As an owner of a distance learning company, with hundreds of versions of a program, mistakes can get made, but can also be corrected," Novick said in the e-mail.

The New York Times - Sports

Or rather claimed in Germany that it was a software programming mistake.

Huffington Post

Security practitioners and management should be aware of the multifarious roles of human and organizational factors and CIS vulnerabilities and that CIS vulnerabilities are not the sole result of a technological problem or programming mistake.

Computers & Security

Mehmet Göktürk, an associate professor at the Gebze Institute of Technology, says that the legislative process in Turkey reminds him of the famous programming mistake called the "spaghetti code" in computer science.

Huffington Post

Here in the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission looking into similar complaints could find no violation of American law -- perhaps not surprisingly since the Google engineer behind the software programming "mistake" took the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination and said nothing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about the type of "a programming mistake". Adding details like 'syntax error' or 'logical error' can help readers understand the root cause of the software malfunction.

Common error

Avoid attributing all software issues solely to "a programming mistake". Consider other potential causes like hardware failures, network problems, or user error, as these can also lead to malfunctions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a programming mistake" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to an error made during the coding or software development process. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a programming mistake" is a noun phrase referring to an error during coding. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable in English. Although relatively rare, its usage is consistent across diverse contexts. The phrase serves to identify or explain software malfunctions, with the context often being neutral. Common alternatives include "a coding error" or "a software bug". When using "a programming mistake", avoid overgeneralization and consider other potential causes of software issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a coding error

Replaces "programming" with "coding", a synonym in this context.

a software bug

Substitutes "mistake" with "bug", a common term for software defects.

a coding defect

Similar to "coding error" but uses "defect" to emphasize a flaw.

a flaw in the code

Rephrases the idea as a general flaw within the code itself.

an error in the program

Focuses on the program having an error.

a software glitch

Uses "glitch" to imply a minor or intermittent problem.

a fault in the software

Emphasizes "fault" to indicate responsibility or blame.

a logical error

Specifies the type of mistake as related to logic within the code.

a syntax error

Indicates a mistake in the syntax of the code.

a runtime error

Highlights that the mistake manifests during the program's execution.

FAQs

What's another way to say "a programming mistake"?

You could use alternatives like "a coding error", "a software bug", or "a coding defect".

Is it correct to say "a coding mistake" instead of "a programming mistake"?

Yes, "a coding mistake" is generally considered correct and interchangeable with "a programming mistake", especially in informal contexts. "Coding" is often used as a shorthand for "programming".

What's the difference between "a programming mistake" and "a software bug"?

While related, "a programming mistake" refers to the human error during coding, while "a software bug" is the manifestation of that mistake in the software's behavior. A mistake leads to a bug.

How do I prevent "a programming mistake"?

Preventing programming mistakes involves using best practices like thorough testing, code reviews, following coding standards, and employing debugging tools. Continuous learning and staying updated with secure coding practices are also crucial.