10.5: Error Terminology

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In case the program does not work, it helps to understand some basic terminology about where or what the error might be. Using the correct terminology ensures that you can communicate effectively about the problem with others.

Assembler Error

Assembler errors are generated when the program is assembled. This means that the assembler does not understand one or more of the instructions. The assembler will provide a list of errors and the line number of each error. It is recommended to address the errors from the top down. Resolving an error at the top can clear multiple errors further down.

Typical assembler errors include misspelling an instruction and/or omitting a variable declaration.

Run-time Error

A run-time error is something that causes the program to crash.

Logic Error

A logic error is when the program executes, but does not produce the correct result. For example, coding a provided formula incorrectly or attempting to compute the average of a series of numbers before calculating the sum.

If the program has a logic error, one way to find the error is to display intermediate values. Further information will be provided in later chapters regarding advice on finding logic errors.