bug compatibility

English

Etymology

From bug (“logical error”) +‎ compatibility or bug compatible +‎ -ity.

Noun

bug compatibility (uncountable)

1. (programming, software) The compatibility between two systems down to the specific bugs exhibited by the implementations.

   In some types of software with specific needs, it is necessary to replicate even the bugs of previous versions of the software to maintain bug compatibility.

   Hyrum's law tells us that a failure to maintain bug compatibility in newer editions will surely lead to breakages, even if the API never promised those behaviors to begin with.

Related terms

• bug compatible