Off by One

Phrase · Slang & Abbreviations

Definitions

  1. A classic programming error where a loop, range, index, or count is one step too high or too low. It is common enough that the phrase became general shorthand for a small but meaningful mistake in counting.

    In plain English: A counting or indexing mistake where something is off by exactly one.

    Example: "The pagination bug was just an off by one in the end index."

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