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precedence lossage
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precedence lossage /pre's*-dens los'*j/ /n./ [C
programmers] Coding error in an expression due to unexpected
grouping of arithmetic or logical operators by the compiler. Used
esp. of certain common coding errors in C due to the
nonintuitively low precedence levels of `&', `|',
`^', `<<', and `>>' (for this reason, experienced C
programmers deliberately forget the language's baroque
precedence hierarchy and parenthesize defensively). Can always be
avoided by suitable use of parentheses. LISP fans enjoy
pointing out that this can't happen in *their* favorite
language, which eschews precedence entirely, requiring one to use
explicit parentheses everywhere. See aliasing bug, memory
leak, memory smash, smash the stack, fandango on
core, overrun screw.
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