Is there a word meaning a problem that has to be solved in order to work on another problem?


I work in the computer trade and frequently find that when I'm assigned a problem to solve, it invariably happens that other problems need solving before I can work on the real issue. Is there a word for these on-the-way problems?



Answer



I think I would simply call it a sub-problem.


(If the problem is mathematical, there is a specific term for it; lemma.)


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