Detect and eliminate possible programming errors
And while beginners are likely to encounter more errors than programmers with years of experience, errors are still a common aspect of everyone, no matter how experienced, and are not likely to happen in your job. This is simply the very essence of programming, and finding and fixing all the possible bugs in your software can be one of the most difficult parts of the job.
To do this, it might be wise to learn about the possible types of programming errors that you may encounter along the way, as well as ways to detect and eliminate them, so that you can become a better and more advanced programmer with any languages; C++, PHP, etc. So here is a guide that details everything you should know about programming errors:
What do programming errors look like?
Programming errors are glitches or errors that prevent software from performing in a predictable, desired manner. Programming errors can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, from small errors such as typos in the code to more complex errors such as unexpected performance results or even sudden crashes.
Errors that occur during coding are generally called errors, regardless of their nature, and the procedure for detecting and eliminating any potential errors is known as debugging.
The most common forms of programming errors
Today, there are a wide variety of bugs and other errors that can be discovered during the coding process. However, there are certain mistakes that tend to happen more often that most programmers have dealt with at least once in their careers. Here are just a few of the most common problems that you may also notice:
Syntax error
Everyone knows that computer languages have their own set of grammatical rules, much like our human languages. But even though we have the ability to communicate even with imperfect grammar, computers are not that complex.
This is where syntax errors occur; they occur when a certain sequence of computer language rules is not followed exactly. In other words, syntax errors are typically fairly minor errors that are, for example, missing characters or misspelled words in the code.
While these forms of errors should become less common with practice, they always need to be corrected before your program can run. Fortunately, syntax errors should easily occur at runtime.
Logical error
Also known as semantic errors, logical errors occur when an error occurs in a sequence of program instructions, such as using the wrong function or formula.
Unfortunately, these errors can be especially difficult to detect without causing your program to crash or cause any serious problems. Technically the program will work as expected, but it will produce a different result than expected. For this reason, a logical fallacy may “make sense” to programming language, even if it does not fit correctly into the program itself.
It might be a good idea to consult with product managers when writing tests to avoid logical errors.
Arithmetic error
Although technically a logical error, arithmetic errors are actually related to mathematics. They most often occur when a program attempts to perform an impossible task, such as dividing by zero, often without the programmer's knowledge.
While these types of errors don't necessarily seem that serious at first glance, they can quite often cause further logical errors or even run-time errors when attempting to divide by zero. However, an arithmetic error can be easily prevented if you have effective tests that include edge cases such as negative numbers and zero.
Runtime error
As their name suggests, a run-time error is an error that occurs unexpectedly when starting your software or while it is running. They are most likely the cause of any unpredictable events, such as array elements going out of range or dividing by zero.
Runtime errors are also generally quite difficult to detect since the software will most likely work fine on your end and the compiler won't flag any anomalies. However, they pose a more serious problem because they affect the end user and prevent him from performing necessary tasks.
To mitigate these types of errors, make sure you have an effective error reporting system in place that can flag potential errors at runtime and automatically open any potential errors in the ticketing system. Remember to learn from these mistakes so you don't repeat them in the future.
Resource Error
The device currently running the software will always allocate a certain amount of resources to it. In the event that an unpredictable aspect of the code causes a device to try to assign more resources than it actually has, this will likely result in resource errors.
Unfortunately, this kind of problem can be quite difficult to detect since your device may be of better quality and have higher performance than the servers that are running the code. Moreover, simulating real-life usage from a local device is also quite difficult.
When trying to avoid resource mistakes, having a great resource usage reporting system can be a big help. In any case, these issues might be better suited to be fixed by the operations team rather than by the developers.
Compiler errors
The programming language you use may require compilation, which means that higher-level code must be translated into lower-level code that is easier for the device to understand and process. When your compiler doesn't have the ability to correctly convert your algorithm into a lower-level language, compilation errors (also known as compile-time errors) occur.
In case your program experiences these problems, you will most likely fail to run tests or even run it. However, you may be able to avoid compilation problems if you try to get feedback early on. If you run the compiler more often, you should be able to get feedback at each step, allowing you to solve smaller problems as you go, rather than having to troubleshoot the entire software after completion.
Interface error
When there is a discrepancy between the intended use of your software and how it is currently used, interface errors are likely to occur. Since most programs tend to follow certain standards, interface errors can appear whenever the input your software receives does not meet the exact standards you have set.
These errors can be especially difficult to recognize because they can often appear as problems on your end rather than as errors on the end user's part. The most effective way to deal with any UI bugs is to have simple, clear documentation and catch these issues early to provide useful feedback to your users.
Hidden error
Latent errors are generally those "hidden" errors that only occur when a particular data compilation is used. Most of the time this happens when the programmer doesn't remember to deal with specific edge cases.
Unfortunately, hidden errors can only be discovered by using all possible combinations of available data.
Methods for detecting and eliminating errorsк
In addition to the cases described above, you may need additional help in testing your algorithms and trying to detect any possible errors. To this end, here are a few methods that can help:
Use a debugger – a very useful tool that is already integrated into most modern IDEs, the debugger will allow you to stop code at any specific breakpoint, execute code line by line, change variables, check the state of the software at runtime, and perform many other useful actions that will allow you to find errors.
Test run or desk check – One of the most basic processes for finding errors in algorithms, a dry run is performed by executing each step of the algorithm one at a time while keeping track of the results.
Using a table traces – By allowing you to check your code in as much detail as needed, trace tables can also be particularly useful tools. To use them effectively, keep in mind that the rows of the table show the state of one step in the code, while the columns show the values of the variables at those specific steps.
Rewriting code – If you feel like you can't find the bug, but the code isn't particularly long and you have plenty of free time, you can try to completely rewrite the code. While this is not a common practice (some programmers even say it should never be done), it can be a good solution for beginners who are still practicing and developing their skills.
Recourse – Sometimes the solution to your problems can be as simple as asking your peers or online communities for help, since chances are someone else has already encountered the specific problem you are facing and solved it. Even writing down your problems while seeking help can allow you to understand what the problem is.
Hack and predictor Aviator
Programming can often be a complex job, the required requirements tend to be unclear, and the algorithm has a habit of changing frequently. So, try not to be too hard on yourself and remember that mistakes are an inevitable part of the procedure. Coding mistakes will undoubtedly continue to happen in the future, but the more you practice and learn, the better you will become at noticing and correcting them in time.
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide will explain the different forms of coding problems you may encounter, as well as how to identify and fix them, preparing you for the inevitable.
