What is a logic error in programming?

A logic error in programming refers to a flaw in the algorithm that produces incorrect output. This type of error occurs when the code executes without any syntax errors, meaning it runs without crashing, yet the results are not what the programmer intended. This can happen for various reasons, such as incorrect calculations, improper use of control structures (like loops and conditionals), or flawed assumptions in the code logic.

For example, if a programmer intends to calculate the average of a series of numbers but mistakenly sums the numbers without dividing by the count, the program will produce an incorrect result, which is a classic case of a logic error. Identifying and fixing these types of errors often requires careful debugging and reasoning through the code's logic to ensure it performs as expected in all scenarios.