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Erroneous means containing errors. I wanted to say about files that generate errors in a computer program, so I posted on a public mailing list: errogenous files. Could it be better? By better I don't mean more amusing.

Maybe the construct I used is correct, but unfortunate. Is it? Actually you won't find any "errogenous files" on the net except those of mine :)

The program scans files, and the files in question contain characters which trigger error messages in the scanning program.

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One word? I cannot think of any. Error-triggering files would be my suggestion – mplungjan Apr 13 '12 at 8:31
Those are two words connected by a hyphen. Might as well say error-generating then... – MDeSchaepmeester Apr 13 '12 at 9:59
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"Problem files" is one term I've seen used. I wouldn't say they generate the errors though, they demonstrate the existence of errors in the code. – Wudang Apr 13 '12 at 10:37
Problem files, sounds good. And error-triggering too. – Jarek Apr 13 '12 at 18:22

4 Answers

up vote 3 down vote

Oh, goodness, no, don't use errogenous. For one, it's not a word. For another, even if you wanted to invent a term, your candidate would be a homophone of erogenous, and I don't think that's what you want to convey.

I'd recommend a hyphenated term: something like error-generating files.

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up vote 2 down vote

I've used the term problematic files (or more generally, problematic input/data) in similar cases. Terms like edge case, unexpected input or random input are somewhat related but stray from the meaning you're looking for.

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This might work, depending on the context. If the O.P. is alluding to real-world files that cause problems, then I'm in hearty agreement. If the O.P. is alluding to deliberately-constructed diabolical files used for testing, however, not so much. (It was hard to tell which, from the limited contextual information provided, until the recent edit.) – J.R. Apr 13 '12 at 17:49
up vote 1 down vote

The files aren't producing errors--the program is. A few word suggestions: "mishandled files," "test cases," "bug reproducers," or "minimal examples" (if the files are edited down).

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up vote -2 down vote

In the context of Java programming, we call it exceptions.

"An exception is an event, which occurs during the execution of a program, that disrupts the normal flow of the program's instructions."

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/essential/exceptions/definition.html

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But he is referring to the type of files that trigger the exception, not the exception. – Wudang Apr 13 '12 at 10:38
I think Jarek is looking for an adjective. In the case of Java it would be an adjective that describes that a methode can throw an Exception. – Raku Apr 13 '12 at 10:41
No, he's looking for a word that describes a file that causes a program to throw an exception. Like a test file for a use case that causes the code to throw an exception? – Wudang Apr 13 '12 at 10:56
Yes, Wudang. The files that are being scanned contain characters which cause the program to show error messages. But @mplungjan described it better, as triggering. In absence of a single word, I would like to choose his answer. If it was an answer :) – Jarek Apr 13 '12 at 11:51
Well, that's easy - the files are exceptional! – kotekzot Apr 13 '12 at 15:45
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