1 example
Divide by zero
Attempted division using zero, causing runtime errors or crashes.
[ FAQ1 ]
What is a divide by zero error?
A divide by zero error happens when an arithmetic operation in a program tries to divide a numeric value by zero. In most programming languages, this triggers a runtime exception or immediately terminates the program execution. For example, statements like
result = a / 0; in languages such as Java, Python, or C++ will cause immediate failures. Such errors commonly occur due to insufficient validation of user input or unexpected states in program logic. Identifying and handling these situations proactively ensures software stability.[ FAQ2 ]
How to avoid divide by zero error
To avoid divide by zero errors, always validate input or computed values before performing division operations. Insert conditional checks like
if (denominator != 0) before executing a division, especially in languages such as Java, Python, or C++. Additionally, implement structured exception handling (try-catch blocks or similar mechanisms) to gracefully handle any unexpected division scenarios. Writing comprehensive tests targeting edge cases involving zero helps catch potential problems during development. By carefully validating inputs and handling exceptions, developers can prevent divide by zero errors and enhance software resilience.
diff block
greptile
logic: Missing division by zero check. This will raise an uncaught ZeroDivisionError if b=0.
suggested fix
def divide(self, a, b):
# Basic division without proper error handling
+ if b == 0:
+ raise ValueError("Cannot divide by zero")
return a / b