memory smash

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

<jargon> A Xerox PARC term for writing to the location addressed by a dangling pointer. [Jargon File]

(1994-11-02)

The Jargon File

[XEROX PARC] Writing through a pointer that doesn't point to what you think it does. This occasionally reduces your memory to a rubble of bits. Note that this is subtly different from (and more general than) related terms such as a memory leak or fandango on core because it doesn't imply an allocation error or overrun condition.