What is a semantic error in programming?

A semantic error in programming occurs when the code is actually able to run without any interruptions or crashes, yet it produces incorrect or unintended results. This type of error is related to the logic behind the code rather than its syntax or structure. For example, if a programmer intends to compute the average of a set of numbers but mistakenly adds the numbers without dividing the total by the count, the code will execute without any issues, but the output will be incorrect. This can often lead to results that are misleading, making semantic errors particularly challenging to identify and debug compared to syntax errors, which halt execution altogether. The ability to run without errors while still yielding incorrect results makes semantic errors a crucial area to consider during testing and troubleshooting in programming.