y2k bug

1 definition found

y2k bug - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  millennium bug \mil*len"ni*um bug`\ (m[i^]l*l[e^]n"n[i^]*[u^]m
     b[u^]g`), n. (Computers)
     An error in the coding of certain computer programs which
     store the year component of the date as two digits, assuming
     that the first two digits are 19, rather than as a complete
     number of four digits; when such programs are used after
     January 1, 2000, the date may be misinterpreted, causing
     serious errors or total failure of the program; -- called
     also year 2000 bug, year 2000 problem and Y2K bug.
  
     Note: In the several years leading up to the year 2000, large
           corporations and other users of computers in total
           spent many billions of dollars correcting this error in
           the programs they use.
           [PJC]