Did a moth really cause a computer crash?

Software bug

Did a moth really cause a computer crash?

Imagine you're working on a computer, and suddenly it freezes, stopping you in your tracks mid-task.

This happened because a real bug, a moth, got stuck in a computer part, messing up the signals. The technical term for this is a "software bug."

Example

The moth was so small, it went unnoticed but caused a huge problem by disrupting the computer's electrical signals.

Remember this

A tiny moth can lead to a significant software bug, causing unexpected computer behavior.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related concepts

Grace Hopper invented the first compiler and coined the term 'debugging' after finding an actual moth in a relay

Did Grace Hopper really find a moth causing computer errors?

Colossus computer

Did you know the first computer was built to crack secret codes?

Enigma machine

Can you keep a secret that changes every time you whisper it?

Ada Lovelace recognized that Babbage's Analytical Engine could manipulate symbols, not just numbers

Did Ada Lovelace invent the first computer program?

Invention of the telephone

Ever wondered when wireless telegraphy first blinked into existence?

Quantum field theory

Did you know that tiny particles behave differently than we expect?

Swipe through 100 ML concepts daily