An error message is a notification displayed by a computer program or system when it encounters a problem that prevents it from completing a task. These messages help users understand what went wrong, often providing a brief description of the issue and sometimes suggesting possible solutions. Error messages can appear in various forms, such as pop-up windows, alerts, or text within a program. Common types of error messages include syntax errors, which occur in programming when the code is incorrect, and runtime errors, which happen during the execution of a program. Understanding these messages is essential for troubleshooting issues and improving user experience in software applications.