fencepost problem

noun

A problem dealing with how to treat the initial or boundary values of a discrete problem.

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Meanings

nounfencepost problem (plural fencepost problems)

plural fencepost problems

  1. computingA problem dealing with how to treat the initial or boundary values of a discrete problem.

Origin

By analogy with fence-building. If one wants to say "lay a fencepost, then a length of fence, then repeat", then a special case must be made for the final fencepost. If one wants to say "lay a length of fence, then a fencepost, then repeat", then a special case must be made for the initial fencepost.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish aidanpylväsvirhe
  • aidanpylväsvirheTranslations
German Zaunpfahlproblem
  • ZaunpfahlproblemTranslations
Polish problem z ustaleniem granic problemu
  • problem z ustaleniem granic problemuTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

fencepost problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fencepost%20problem

MLA

“fencepost problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fencepost%20problem. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fencepost problem,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fencepost%20problem.

Source: fencepost problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.