Bug Definition | The Interactive Glossary

A program that functions erratically is often referred to as being “buggy”. Bugs can be caused by any number of technical issues. The program may have installed incorrectly. It may have become corrupted due to a system error or an unexpected system shut down. Files may have been updated or removed when you installed or uninstalled new software or applied an update. A hardware error could be affecting the performance of the program. Or the bug may be a symptom of something more malicious, such as a virus or malware application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I fix a big?

Depending on the cause of the bug, correcting it may be as simple as running a repair program. Many applications, including office suites and even operating systems, such as Windows, allow you to repair a current installation. If you are using Windows, go to your Programs list and double-click on the program. If it offers a repair option, it will prompt you to repair or uninstall the program. Try to repair it. If that doesn’t work, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the software. If program files have been corrupted, this should replace them with functional versions. For mobile devices, this is often your only option for buggy application.

For a buggy operating system, try to do a system restore from a recent restore point (see your help files for information), or try uninstalling recently installed programs. It’s also a good idea to run a completely system scan with your antivirus program. If you don’t have an antivirus program installed, install it now, whether your system is buggy or not. And, of course, run a system update to make sure you have the most current patches and other bug fixes. As a last resort, you can attempt to do a factory restore, which erases all of your installed programs and personal files, and restores the operating system to its original state. If you decide to go this route, make sure you back up all of your personal files first.

How can I tell if it’s just a bug and not a virus?

This can be difficult to detect. The first thing you will want to do is run a complete system virus scan. If it’s a virus, hopefully this will find it, but it may not. Some newer viruses may not have been identified and added to your antivirus program’s definitions file. Try the steps above to see if you can rule out a general software problem. Then try to determine if the bug is software or hardware related. Is your sound cutting out? That could be your speaker, or you may need to reinstall your soundcard driver. Is your computer shutting down unexpectedly? It could be your power supply. If you suspect a technical problem, unless you are comfortable opening up your computer and doing repairs yourself, it’s probably time to call a professional. If your computer is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer.