Kludge

Updated: 12/10/2023 by Computer Hope
Kludge in purple lettering.

Sometimes written as kluge, kludge is pronounced as Klooj and is an improvised solution to a problem. Often associated with computer programming, these "solutions" are usually put together quickly and are not always the most efficient or effective way of getting an intended result. With computing, you can think of them as the coding equivalent of a Band-Aid.

If kludge is used to fix a problem in a computer program, we recommend a more permanent, effective code fix be implemented as soon as possible. Leaving kludge in place can result in more bugs or errors in the program, or it could lead to fatal exceptions that cause the program to crash.

Fun fact

Some suggest that kluge and kludge are actually acronyms that stand for klutzy lashup, under-going engineering, or klumsy, lame, ugly, dumb, but good enough.

Computer slang, Programming terms, Spaghetti code