The term "MAX_VALUE" typically refers to the maximum limit of a data type in programming. For example, in languages like Java and JavaScript, MAX_VALUE represents the largest number that can be stored in a variable of a specific type, such as int or double. This limit is crucial for preventing errors in calculations and ensuring that programs run smoothly. In Java, the MAX_VALUE for an integer is 2,147,483,647, while for a double, it is approximately 1.7976931348623157E+308. Understanding these limits helps developers avoid overflow errors, which occur when a calculation exceeds the maximum value that can be represented.