View source for Input kludge

{{Multiple issues|
{{Orphan|date=August 2024}}
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}
}}

In [[computer programming]], an '''input kludge''' is a type of failure in [[computer software|software]] (an [[anti-pattern]]) where simple user input is not handled. For example, if a [[computer program]] accepts free text input from the user, an ''ad hoc'' algorithm will mishandle many combinations of legal and illegal input strings. Input kludges are usually difficult for a programmer to detect in a [[unit test]], but very easy for the end user to find. The evidence exists that the end user can easily [[crash (computing)|crash]] software that fails to correctly handle user input.  Indeed, the [[buffer overflow]] security hole is an example of the problems caused.

To remedy input kludges, one may use [[data validation|input validation]] algorithms to handle user input. A [[monkey test]] can be used to detect an input kludge problem. A common first test to discover this problem is to roll one's hand across the [[computer keyboard]] or to 'mash' the keyboard to produce a large junk input, but such an action often lacks [[reproducibility]]. Greater systematicity and reproducibility may be obtained by using [[fuzz testing]] software.

==See also==
* [[Garbage in, garbage out]]
* [[Guard (computer science)]]
* [[Kludge]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Input Kludge}}
[[Category:Anti-patterns]]
[[Category:Software bugs]]