"Abend" redirects here. For other uses, see the wiktionary box.

An ABEND (also abnormal end or abend) is an abnormal termination of software, or a program crash

Crash (computing)

A crash in computing is a condition where a computer or a program, either an application or part of the operating system, ceases to function properly, often exiting after encountering errors. Often the offending program may appear to freeze or hang until a crash reporting service documents...

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This usage derives from an error message from the IBM

IBM

International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...

 OS/360, IBM zOS operating systems. Usually capitalized, but may appear as "abend". It is claimed to be derived from the German word "Abend" meaning "evening".

Errors or crashes on the Novell

Novell

Novell, Inc. is a multinational software and services company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Attachmate Group. It specializes in network operating systems, such as Novell NetWare; systems management solutions, such as Novell ZENworks; and collaboration solutions, such as Novell Groupwise...

 NetWare network operating system are usually called ABENDs. Communities of NetWare administrators have sprung up around the Internet, such as abend.org.