Wild branch

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In computer programming, a wild branch is a description of a GOTO instruction where the target address is indeterminate, random or otherwise unintended.^[1] It is usually the result of a software bug causing the accidental corruption of a pointer, index or array subscript. It is "wild" in the sense that it cannot be predicted to behave consistently. Detection of wild branches is frequently difficult; they are normally identified by erroneous results (where the unintended target address is nevertheless a valid instruction enabling the program to continue despite the error) or a hardware interrupt, which may change depending upon register contents. Debuggers and monitor programs can sometimes be used to determine the location of the original wild branch.