run-time error

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

run-time error
    n 1: an error in logic or arithmetic that must be detected at
         run time [syn: {semantic error}, {run-time error}, {runtime
         error}]

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

run-time error

   <programming> An {error} in the execution of a program which
   occurs at {run time}, as opposed to a {compile-time error}.

   A good programming language should, among other things, aim to
   replace run-time errors by compile-time errors.  Language
   features such as {strong typing} help.

   A good program should attempt to avoid run-time errors by, for
   example, checking that their input data is sensible.  Where
   this is not possible, the program should attempt to detect the
   error and handle it gracefully rather than just exiting via
   the language or operating system's default handler.  Here
   again, a good language will make this easy to do (or at least
   possible).

   See also {abort}, {core dump}, {GPF}.

   (1997-01-13)