In computer science an error in a software is usually named as bug. It can be serious or not, from an undesired behavior to a crash of the software itself. If, aftwerward, the bug affects a notable part of the system, it can compromize the security of the computer. The web attacks that use bugs discovered into the web servers that host internet sites are well known. But where does the term “bug” from?
The term begins to be used in engineering during the 19th century: Thomas Edison, in a letter dated 1878, calls “bugs” the little faults of a device. In 1931, the Baffle Ball, the first mechanical pinball, is said to be “free of bugs”. During the II World War, the Marines call “bugs” the problems with military gear.
However, it’s in 1947 that the “bug” makes is first appearance into the computers’ world. The september, 9, some operators a the computer laboratory of the Harvard Faculty are sent to check a Mark II that started to malfunction. At that time, computers were made of panels full of relais: it was during the inspection of one of those relais that they found a dead moth that had blocked it. They carefully removed the insect and brought to Grace Hopper, that taped it onto the paper used to write the report, writing the famous phrase “first actual case of bug being found”.
From bug derives the term “debug” that means the analisys and correction of the problems of a software.
