13–15 Nov 2023
America/New_York timezone

Hunting Heisenbugs

14 Nov 2023, 14:30
45m
"James River Salon D" (Omni Richmond Hotel)

"James River Salon D"

Omni Richmond Hotel

183
LPC Refereed Track LPC Refereed Track

Speaker

Paul McKenney (Facebook)

Description

The term "heisenbug" was inspired by the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle from quantum physics, which states that it is impossible to exactly quantify a given particle’s position and velocity at any given point in time. Any attempt to more accurately measure that particle's position will result in increased uncertainty of its velocity and vice versa. Similarly, attempts to track down the heisenbug causes its symptoms to radically change or even disappear completely [1].

If the field of physics inspired the name of this problem, it is only fair that the field of physics should inspire the solution. Fortunately, particle physics is up to the task: Why not create an anti-heisenbug to annihilate the heisenbug? Or, perhaps more accurately, to annihilate the heisen-ness of the heisenbug? Although producing an anti-heisenbug for a given heisenbug is more an art than a science, this talk will cover ways of doing just that.

[1] The term “heisenbug” is a misnomer, as most heisenbugs are fully explained by the observer effect from classical physics. Nevertheless, the name has stuck.

Primary author

Paul McKenney (Facebook)

Presentation materials

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