Overrun screw


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)

Read Also:

  • Oversaturate

    [verb sach-uh-reyt; adjective, noun sach-er-it, -uh-reyt] /verb ˈsætʃ əˌreɪt; adjective, noun ˈsætʃ ər ɪt, -əˌreɪt/ verb (used with object), saturated, saturating. 1. to cause (a substance) to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance, through solution, chemical combination, or the like. 2. to charge to the utmost, as with magnetism. 3. to soak, […]

  • Oversaturated

    [verb sach-uh-reyt; adjective, noun sach-er-it, -uh-reyt] /verb ˈsætʃ əˌreɪt; adjective, noun ˈsætʃ ər ɪt, -əˌreɪt/ verb (used with object), saturated, saturating. 1. to cause (a substance) to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance, through solution, chemical combination, or the like. 2. to charge to the utmost, as with magnetism. 3. to soak, […]

  • Oversaturating

    [verb sach-uh-reyt; adjective, noun sach-er-it, -uh-reyt] /verb ˈsætʃ əˌreɪt; adjective, noun ˈsætʃ ər ɪt, -əˌreɪt/ verb (used with object), saturated, saturating. 1. to cause (a substance) to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance, through solution, chemical combination, or the like. 2. to charge to the utmost, as with magnetism. 3. to soak, […]

  • Oversaturation

    [sach-uh-rey-shuh n] /ˌsætʃ əˈreɪ ʃən/ noun 1. the act or process of . 2. the state of being . 3. Meteorology. a condition in the atmosphere corresponding to 100 percent relative humidity. 4. the degree of chroma or purity of a color; the degree of freedom from admixture with white. 5. Magnetism. the state of […]

  • Oversaw

    [oh-ver-see] /ˌoʊ vərˈsi/ verb (used with object), oversaw, overseen, overseeing. 1. to direct (work or workers); supervise; manage: He was hired to oversee the construction crews. 2. to see or observe secretly or unintentionally: We happened to oversee the burglar leaving the premises. He was overseen stealing the letters. 3. to survey or watch, as […]


Disclaimer: Overrun screw definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.