Computing Dictionary
overrun screw definition
A variety of
fandango on core produced by a
C program scribbling past the end of an
array (
C implementations typically have no checks for this error). This is relatively benign and easy to spot if the array is static; if it is
auto, the result may be to
smash the stack - often resulting in
heisenbugs of the most diabolical subtlety. The term "overrun screw" is used especially of scribbles beyond the end of arrays allocated with
malloc; this typically overwrites the allocation header for the next block in the
arena, producing massive lossage within malloc and often a
core dump on the next operation to use
stdio or malloc itself.
See
spam,
overrun; see also
memory leak,
memory smash,
aliasing bug,
precedence lossage,
fandango on core,
secondary damage.
(1995-01-19)
