9/1/2002: First bug

Undertoad · 09-01-2002, 04:05 PM

I had heard about, but never seen the shot of the first computer bug ever. So sorry for those who have seen it, but maybe it bears repeating anyway.

The first bug reported in a computer was a moth that flew into the relays of the Mark II, the world's second large-scale automatically sequenced digital computer (following the Mark I of course) (subject to some debate I think).

The term stuck, and the word "bug" refers to any unpredictable problem causing a computer error of some sort. Only a true geek would save the damn bug. But that's Grace Murray Hopper for you. (She also coined the term "debug" - a true geek pioneer.)

russotto · 09-01-2002, 05:56 PM

This isn't the first bug. It's the first case of an actual insect being found; it was significant because the term "bug" with its modern meaning was already in use.

Nic Name · 09-01-2002, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Edison had used the word bug and the concept of debugging previously but this was probably the first verification that the concept applied to computers.

according to this source.

It's in the Smithsonian.

RQuinn · 09-01-2002, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Undertoad
The term stuck, and the word "bug" refers to any unpredictable problem causing a computer error of some sort

No, in the business we call something unpredict<b>ed</b> a bug.

Something truely unpredictable is called a feature.

Anton · 09-02-2002, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RQuinn

No, in the business we call something unpredict<b>ed</b> a bug.

Something truely unpredictable is called a feature.

Hmmm.... So when it happens the first time - its a bug. But seeing as you now know its gonna happen again - it then becomes a feature. Got it!! :p

Slight · 09-02-2002, 10:44 AM

It seems odd to me that you would write "First actual case of bug being found" in your logbook. They must have been very cognizant of the term.

I have an interesting story regarding computer bugs. My mom had a PowerBook 180 back in the day and I would play games and write papers on it late at nite in my bed and then set it on the floor. This was back in the day of floppies. Well I woke up one morning, stuck in a floppy for some reason and I heard this crunch sound. The drive ceased to function. I don't remember if I pulled out the disk right away but I knew I had done something wrong and attempted to disassemble the powerbook. I did not have any torx drivers so after ruining some screws I bought a driver and opened the case. Inside the case there was all this bug goo. I cleaned up all I could see, put it back together and it worked, amazingly. I am not sure if this beats the time I fed our Mac IIcx orange juice thru the floppy drive but it is up there. Moral of the story? CLEAN YOUR ROOM!

Bitman · 09-03-2002, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anton
Hmmm.... So when it happens the first time - its a bug. But seeing as you now know its gonna happen again - it then becomes a feature. Got it!! :p

No, if you know it's gonna happen again, it's predictable, and becomes a documented feature!

Slithy_Tove · 09-04-2002, 10:05 AM

The Jargon File's discussion of the origins of the term 'bug'.

Torrere · 09-05-2002, 12:57 AM

Thanks Slithy_Tove. I love it when the Jargon File goes so in depth on something like that and especially when it ends up full circle. Hadn't read the entry for "bug" before. Kluge is another good example.

Nic Name · 09-05-2002, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UT

I had heard about, but never seen the shot of the first computer bug ever.

Programming tool makes bugs sing.

09-01-2002, 04:05 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	9/1/2002: First bug I had heard about, but never seen the shot of the first computer bug ever. So sorry for those who have seen it, but maybe it bears repeating anyway. The first bug reported in a computer was a moth that flew into the relays of the Mark II, the world's second large-scale automatically sequenced digital computer (following the Mark I of course) (subject to some debate I think). The term stuck, and the word "bug" refers to any unpredictable problem causing a computer error of some sort. Only a true geek would save the damn bug. But that's Grace Murray Hopper for you. (She also coined the term "debug" - a true geek pioneer.)

09-04-2002, 10:05 AM	#8
Slithy_Tove Disorderly Orderly Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Philly 'burbs, PA, USA Posts: 52	The Jargon File's discussion of the origins of the term 'bug'. __________________ == Tove A rainbow rat, a checkered cat...

09-01-2002, 05:56 PM	#2
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	This isn't the first bug. It's the first case of an actual insect being found; it was significant because the term "bug" with its modern meaning was already in use.

09-02-2002, 10:44 AM	#6
Slight Semi-Evil Genius Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Boulder CO Posts: 195	It seems odd to me that you would write "First actual case of bug being found" in your logbook. They must have been very cognizant of the term. I have an interesting story regarding computer bugs. My mom had a PowerBook 180 back in the day and I would play games and write papers on it late at nite in my bed and then set it on the floor. This was back in the day of floppies. Well I woke up one morning, stuck in a floppy for some reason and I heard this crunch sound. The drive ceased to function. I don't remember if I pulled out the disk right away but I knew I had done something wrong and attempted to disassemble the powerbook. I did not have any torx drivers so after ruining some screws I bought a driver and opened the case. Inside the case there was all this bug goo. I cleaned up all I could see, put it back together and it worked, amazingly. I am not sure if this beats the time I fed our Mac IIcx orange juice thru the floppy drive but it is up there. Moral of the story? CLEAN YOUR ROOM!

09-05-2002, 12:57 AM	#9
Torrere a real smartass Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 1,121	Thanks Slithy_Tove. I love it when the Jargon File goes so in depth on something like that and especially when it ends up full circle. Hadn't read the entry for "bug" before. Kluge is another good example.

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