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Discussion on: What was the worst bug you've ever written?

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Aaron • Edited

Thought I was being clever by creating an event on a static class (.NET). Forgetting that every request on the website resulted in a handler added, but never removed.

It took a while (several days) for the memory to fill up and the web application to crash.

I was on other stuff at the time they found out. Some people spent a lot of time finding and fixing that bug.

The worst part of it is I still clearly remembered the moment I "solved" the problem by creating an event on a static class. And all I wanted was to go back in time and tell myself: "careful Aaron ..."

Also had the classic run-away e-mail service mail a customer. I was driving home at the time so didn't realise until my boss called me. Luckily the receiver was OK with it. Also, I let my boss know through Skype chat "the problem with the thousands of e-mails to the customer is fixed" and it popped up while he was giving a presentation to more bosses. So they sent their congratulations.

Can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.