Definition of heisenbug

heisenbug

in computing, a bug that disappears or changes its behavior when an attempt is found to locate its source or to generally investigate it.

This is an actual occurrence, since tools such as debuggers do change a program's behavior. Even "innocuous" techniques such emitting debugging output to a console changes the runtime of programs and can affect timing-related issues.
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

From "Heisenberg" + "bug". A reference to Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle in quantum physics.
Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

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