abend

Abend, an abbreviation for “abnormal end,” refers to an unexpected termination of a process or program before it completes its intended operation. Originally used in mainframe environments, such as those operated by IBM, the term has since broadened to include unexpected terminations in other computing environments. An abend indicates a serious error or bug in the software or a hardware failure, triggering the program to halt execution to prevent data corruption or further errors.

Abends are critical events that signify the failure of a program to complete its intended task due to errors or system issues. Identifying and addressing the causes of abends is crucial for maintaining the reliability and stability of computing environments. Effective strategies, including error handling, debugging, and system monitoring, are essential for mitigating the impact of abends and ensuring continuous system operations.