What exactly do "IB" and "UB" mean?

c++ terminology definition
cHao picture cHao · May 4, 2010 · Viewed 20.9k times · Source

I've seen the terms "IB" and "UB" used several times, particularly in the context of C++. I've tried googling them, but apparently those two-letter combinations see a lot of use. :P

So, I ask you...what do they mean, when they're said as if they're a bad thing?

Answer

Thomas picture Thomas · May 4, 2010

IB: Implementation-defined Behaviour. The standard leaves it up to the particular compiler/platform to define the precise behaviour, but requires that it be defined.

Using implementation-defined behaviour can be useful, but makes your code less portable.

UB: Undefined Behaviour. The standard does not specify how a program invoking undefined behaviour should behave. Also known as "nasal demons" because theoretically it could make demons fly out of your nose.

Using undefined behaviour is nearly always a bad idea. Even if it seems to work sometimes, any change to environment, compiler or platform can randomly break your code.

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