segmentation fault

2 definitions found

segmentation fault - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  segmentation fault
  segfault
  
     An error in which a running Unix program attempts to access
     memory not allocated to it and terminates with a segmentation
     violation error and usually a core dump.
  
     [Jargon File]
  
     (1994-12-15)
  

segmentation fault - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  segmentation fault
   n.
  
     [Unix]
  
     1. [techspeak] An error in which a running program attempts to access
     memory not allocated to it and core dumps with a segmentation
     violation error. This is often caused by improper usage of pointers
  in
     the source code, dereferencing a null pointer, or (in C)
  inadvertently
     using a non-pointer variable as a pointer. The classic example is:
  
     int i;
     scanf ("%d", i);  /* should have used &i */
  
     2. To lose a train of thought or a line of reasoning. Also uttered as
     an exclamation at the point of befuddlement.