What is an error stack trace?

Question

What is an error stack trace?

Answer 1

The "stack" is a section of memory for storing temporary data. Imagine it as a stack of boxes -- you can only get at whatever is in the top box. When a function is invoked, the information that function needs is stored in a new "box" on the top of the stack. If the function calls another function, another box is piled on top. When a function finishes, its box is removed, and the function that called it is on top again.

When a program has an error, it may give a "stack trace," which is a summary of all the boxes in the stack at the time. The programmer can use this information to help figure out what part of the code caused the error.