Error
Error turns up in 2 fields: metrology, telecom & it. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Error in metrology
The signed difference between a measured value and the reference value of the quantity being measured.
In measurement, error is a single signed number: the indication minus the reference value, so a gauge reading 100.3 kPa against a standard at 100.0 kPa has an error of +0.3 kPa. It is not a mistake and it is not the same thing as uncertainty. Error can be estimated and corrected when a better reference is available, while uncertainty describes the doubt that remains after all known corrections have been made.
"As-found error at full scale was minus 0.12 percent, inside the 0.25 percent tolerance, so no adjustment."
Error in telecom & it
A system or process failing and generating a fault state.
To fail during execution or transmission, resulting in a fault code or dropped process. In networking and IT, devices or scripts that encounter unexpected inputs or hardware failures will halt their normal operation and log a fault.
"The switch errored out when we tried to push the new VLAN config."