Say it like this
- We need to improve error handling in this module.
- The error handling could be more robust.
- Good error handling prevents user-facing crashes.
Use it at work
Code review
- There's no error handling if the API call fails.
- Can we add error handling and show a clear message?
Design
- What's our error handling strategy across services?
- Let's log the error before we retry.
Debugging
- Bad error handling hid the real problem.
- The catch block swallows the error.
Don't say this
Error handling is a noun, not a verb. Use it as the object of the sentence, not the main action.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. The team needs to implement better _______ before the product launch.
2. Which sentence uses 'error handling' correctly?
3. How would you naturally say that your code needs to deal with failures?
4. Rewrite this sentence using 'error handling': 'We must write code that catches problems when the user does something wrong.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We need to improve error handling in this module."
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More about error handling
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"We finished the payment feature yesterday, but we still need to add better error handling for network timeouts."
- in a code review
"I noticed the login function doesn't have error handling for invalid credentials; we should add a try-catch block."
- in a team meeting
"Before we release version 2.0, the QA team will test error handling for all edge cases."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse error handling (the process) with error messages (the output). Also, avoid saying handle errors as a verb without context; specify what you are handling.
- ✕The code has good error handling, but we still have error handling issues.✓The code has good error handling, but we still have errors in the authentication logic.
Avoid repeating error handling when you mean specific errors or issues. Be more precise.
- ✕Error handling is when the application crashes.✓Error handling is the process of preventing the application from crashing when something goes wrong.
Error handling prevents crashes; it does not cause them.
Other forms(2)
- error handling noun
"Error handling is essential for production code."
- error-handling (hyphenated when used as modifier) adjective
"We implemented an error-handling strategy for the API."
Often used with(5)
- robust error handling · Used when error handling is strong and comprehensive
- implement error handling · To add or create error handling in code
- improve error handling · To make error handling better or more complete
- error handling strategy · A planned approach to how errors will be managed
- error handling mechanism · The technical method or system used to handle errors
Similar words(3)
- exception handling · More specific to catching exceptions in code; often used interchangeably but slightly more technical
- error management · Broader term covering the overall strategy; error handling is the implementation
- error recovery · Focuses on getting the system back to a working state; error handling is the full process
Opposites(2)
- ignoring errors
- error suppression
Questions(5)
- What does error handling mean in software engineering?
- Error handling is the practice of writing code that detects and responds to errors or unexpected conditions. Instead of allowing a program to crash, error handling allows developers to catch problems, log them, and either recover gracefully or inform the user about the issue.
- How do you use error handling in a sentence at work?
- You can say, 'We need to add error handling for the API request,' or 'The function lacks proper error handling for null values.' You use it as a noun phrase that describes the process or implementation.
- Is error handling formal or informal?
- Error handling is neutral in formality. It is used in both casual team conversations and formal documentation. It is a standard technical term in software engineering.
- What is the difference between error handling and exception handling?
- Exception handling is a specific technical term for catching exceptions in code using try-catch blocks. Error handling is a broader concept that includes exception handling, validation, logging, and recovery strategies.
- Why is error handling important?
- Error handling prevents applications from crashing unexpectedly, improves user experience, makes debugging easier, and ensures the system remains stable even when problems occur.
