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What does "fail" mean in programming?
fail is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
To not work as expected or to not complete successfully. Tests fail when the output does not match the expected result. Deployments fail when there is a configuration error or a dependency is missing.
Example
"The build will fail if any test fails."
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| fail | verb (infinitive) | To not work correctly or to not succeed | "The test will fail if the API returns a 500 error." |
| failed | past tense | Did not work correctly | "The deployment failed because of a missing environment variable." |
| failing | gerund | Not working correctly or not succeeding | "Two tests are failing after the refactor." |
Related terms
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