A computer bug is an error or defect in computer hardware or software that causes the computer or the computer program to malfunction. The first computer bug is said to have been a moth that was found squashed between the points of an electromechanical relay in the Mark II computer in 1945. This moth caused the entire computer to shut down. When the moth was removed, it was affixed to the computer’s log with a scribbled note that read, “First actual case of bug being found.” When the computer operators removed the moth, they claimed to have “debugged” the computer, thus introducing the term “debugging a computer program.” By the way, this first bug is now housed in the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian, and yes….someone who answered correctly that the first bug was a moth won a million dollars on the Who Wants to be a Millionaire television game show.

Just for the sake of accuracy, I must tell you that Edison used the word “bug” in the 1800s, and some say the word goes all the way back to Shakespeare. But whatever the origin, the word “bug” is now universally accepted as a problem with a computer. And do we have bugs!! Hardware bugs are not terribly prevalent, but today’s software seems to be riddled with bugs that were not found before the software was released.