The programming errors, don’t you think it’s quite an intersecting thing to understand. What could be the meaning of the word ERROR in layman language? Error is something quite close to word mistake, isn’t it?  You people might hear about the word ERROR so many times whether you are in the technology field or not. Actually, the error is a problem or you can say a wrong action which results in a problem. It could be an incorrect thing done related to programming, in development, or in the system.

So on average, we can think that if we are trying to get a predictable result from some code or system or program or any other way. But due to some input or action, we are not getting the desired result. So we can say that there is some problem or error in that action.

Example

Let’s illustrate it with a very simple example. You will understand that it’s quite a simple way of calculation.  I know that the addition of 3+2 is going to give me result 5 in the answer but what if I am not able to get that result. Say I am trying to get that result through programming or through any system or software. That sort of thing that does not lead me to the desired result comes under the term ERROR.

It’s just a brief scenario that I tried to present to you but that area is quite vast and our main focus is only on the discussion of ERROR. I will also give you an idea that how an error is different from any bug, failure, fault, or defect. So what actually Error is basically kind of result deviation between predictable and actual result.

What is Programming?

OK, let’s deep dive into the world of programming errors. So what usually happens, I am trying to explain in the computer programming field, whenever a beginner tries to start programming. I am assuming you are already aware of term programming. If not, don’t worry that is not a big issue. Let me make you understand it first. Programming is a way to create some steps having some rules to follow by the computer system so that it can perform a particular task.

Programming is not only fixed to just one language. As a computer field person knows very well that there are several programming languages. We can do programmings like C, C++, Java, Python, Javascript, and many more. So programming is a task that is quite creative.

We cannot say that to do any task there would be only one right way. There could be other ways to perform the same task and they can also fall in a better category as compared to the other ones. You know with more practice and knowledge people are able to do better programming. You can say with experience, a person will be able to know better ways of writing any program. Along with that logical skills matter a lot. That is all about programming. You need not worry about it much. You would be able to find many definitions related to programming that can help you to understand its meaning better.

Coming back to our main focus ERROR. So what you think could be a reason for getting error in programming. Say you are new to the world of programming; you just started to make a program in C++ language. don’t you think you may lead to a few problems?

What if errors occur in Programming?

I am not saying that your programming will always lead to error. But what I am trying to say is what will happen when you encounter a problem. Just don’t worry about the statement. If a problem occurs, then there’s always a solution. You only have to find out a way to understand that problem completely. Then just resolve it or fix it in terms of programming.

But before all, you should be aware of some common types of errors that you could encounter while programming. If you have an idea about a problem then it should not remain as a hurdle anymore on your track rather that you can fight with that problem. It does not matter whether you are a good programmer or not, smart enough for programming or not, errors are your companion.

The only way to get rid of these errors is more and more practice. So that you can be able to do your programming task in a better way. Before all let me give you an idea about things like bug, failure, Fault, or defect. Just don’t think that errors only occur in programming. They could occur in the software or in any other areas also.

ERROR

Whenever a programmer does make any program say in any language either C, C++, or any other. The programmer tries to get the desired output from it. But somehow due to some mistake programmer is not able to get the desired result. Then that mistake in the program commonly considered as error. You can also say that it’s a wrong human action that produces the wrong result. There could be many reasons for it as follows:

  • A person is having any confusion in the output of the program while making it.
  • Adaption of a wrong idea or wrong calculation can lead to error.
  • Taking any wrong meaning of any value in the program during coding.
  • These errors usually occur due to wrong lops or syntax.
  • For example error in data handling or in the configuration.

BUG

It’s a sort of error in programming that usually occurs in any application before getting developed or created. The bug does not lead to any genuine problem. it’s something that we never expected due to which program performs irrationally. Also, the response provided is incorrect leading to the crash of the system.

  • For example, when you try to divide a number by zero in the program it leads to a bug.
  • Other reasons for bug include Infinite loops and the use of uninitialized variables.

DEFECT OR FAULT

This term usually comes to light when we consider software. The main reason for a defect is the deviation of the performance of the software. When software is produced that is not according to user requirement. I mean to say it’s not giving the same output as expected by the customer. So we can say it’s a kind of defect or Fault. But it’s different from a bug because a bug is detected earlier but the defect is found later after production.

  • There could be a Missing defect, Wrong defect, and extra defect that lead to deviation in the output of the software.

 FAILURE

The main reason for getting a failure is the incapability of software to do the required task and giving wrong output. There could be some reasons like human error, conditions related to the environment, wrong operations performed by the users, and misuse of the system.

Well, we do not need to dive deep into the other things just having a small knowledge about it would be sufficient.

How errors can be found?

Now the big question arises that how all of these errors can be found? How they are noticeable? What is the way to detect errors? For this, we have to understand a new thing called debugging. Whenever we write a program in any language or say we do coding and then try to run that code here includes a process called debugging. The objective of debugging is to find errors in coding and remove them. So now we will try to understand some common different types of errors in programming by having look at them so that we can get an idea to overcome and avoid them.

Errors are an integral part of coding. For example, I did the coding and made a program having some steps to solve a particular problem. The part code I wrote is called source code. Now the next step is to debug it. As we are familiar with debugging now it means we understood that it’s time when the computer is going to interpret a program or code or you can say compiling the code. Only debugging can find out errors that will lead to the crash of the system or will create other problems like not giving the desired output.

A Scientist named Edsger W. Dijkstra said programming or coding is the process of adding bugs in the program and debugging is the process of getting these errors and find ways to remove them. So now finally we will discuss a few types of programming errors and ways to avoid them which is the main topic of our article.

Types of error:

  • Syntax Error
  • Logical Error
  • Semantic Error
  • Arithmetic Error
  • Resource Error
  • Interface Error
  • Runtime or execution Error
  • Compilation or compile-time Error

Let’s have a detailed description of every error.

Syntax Error

In every programming language, we need the right sequence of grammar rules. Just as there is grammar for the English language and we have to follow rules of it to make proper sentences. In the same way, you have to follow some rules related to a particular programming language to write any instruction in a computer program. But if you violate the rule that governs language structure a syntax error occurs. In the English language, it’s quite fine if we don’t follow grammar rules in communication but the computer languages are quite strict in that aspect.

  • Generally, they are a small and very common type of error.
  • They are even single-digit and just stops the program execution.
  • An example is like missing a semicolon at the end of the line, wrong punctuation. Say the syntax of printing hello is print(‘hello’) and you forget to put the left side parentheses during writing the code then it will result in a syntax error.
  • They can be easily found and you can correct them.

How to avoid syntax error:

  • They can occur less frequently as the programmer gets more experience by practicing regularly.
  • You can avoid these errors by rechecking again your program step by step till the end line.
  • Try to be more aware of the syntax of the language.
  • As there is an increase in the proficiency of programmers the syntax errors tend to occur less in the program.

Logical Error

In general what you think about word logic. Is not it something related to the reasons behind something? Try to think it in way of calculation. Let’s understand it in a way, suppose I am going to make a program to find the sum of two numbers 2 and 3. Mathematically you know well that the answer will be 5 but what if during writing code you mistakenly not took the variable in which value of answer should be stored. So at that point how you would be able to get output. So logical errors are sort of errors that occur when you try to do some coding to get output but you don’t receive the correct output although you assume your program to be right.

  • It could be a type of error due to which you get the wrong output.
  • You can assume it as a type of misbehaving done by the program.
  • These types of errors don’t halt the execution of the program at all and even debuggers don’t give any warning.
  • They cannot be easily found out. So try to check out your calculation thoroughly.

How to avoid Logical error:

  • Before making any program do try to write down ideas, formula, function, or calculation way or sort of algorithm of that program.
  • Check the requirements in detail before making any program or software.
  • Try to use print statements more in your program that will help you out to get how the program is working.

Semantic Error

The word semantic is actually related to word meaning. Whenever a programmer tries to do the wrong use of program statements that sort of error arises. While making such sort of errors there is nothing produced at all. In simple language, we can say My refrigerator just drove a car to the USA. Is it making any sense? Same way in programming only a good programmer can detect such errors.

  • They are sort of errors that are alike the wrong words at the wrong place.
  • An example is when you try to divide any number by zero then what actually happens it just crash the system.
  • Making use of uninitialized variables is a sort of semantic errors.

How to avoid Semantic error:

  • These types of errors are not easy to detect but giving the program different inputs and try to check its response in that condition could be a good way to avoid such errors.
  • By choosing a good design and defensive programming could help to avoid such errors.

Arithmetic Error

They are usually a type of logical error in which you probably do the wrong mathematical calculations. you can even consider them under the category of runtime error.

  • These sorts of errors are easily avoidable.
  • An example is like division of any number by zero or you are not following the right order of calculation. Say the computation of 4-1*5. So the answer should be 4-5=-1. but when we do it the wrong way like 3*5=15 then it’s a sort of arithmetic error.
  • They can be easily found out and get corrected.

How to avoid the Arithmetic error:

  • To avoid them you should be aware of basic arithmetic operations.
  • Do try to avoid major mistakes related to parentheses or rules about the order of operation like BODMAS.
  • Try to do functional tests that include Zero or negative numbers.

Resource Error

Your computer system usually provides a fixed number of resources. You have to use them to execute programs. But what if your program requires more resources, in such cases resource error occurs.

  • When you do programming related to loops where you mistakenly write down code from which lop is not able to come out then such a situation is resource error.
  • For example, if you write a loop code like this for ( ; ; ) then such a loop will run forever.
  • Such sorts of errors are hard to find.

How to avoid Resource error:

  • Do try to use load testing applications and services that will help you to check out what will happen when multiple users try to run the same program at once.
  • They are sort of type of error also so do try to fix it early.

Interface Error

it’s an error that occurs when there is a discrepancy between the use of a program. I mean to say when you try your program to be used in the way A but that is not the way to use it. Such a situation is a case of interface error. Such types of errors occur mostly in software having standards.

  • These errors usually happen when there is a need for specific parameters to be set for API but it’s not provided that way.
  • They are also termed as Caller’s side error.

How to avoid Interface error:

  • If you have clear documentation of such errors and you can pass them back to the caller it could be a better way to handle such type of error.

Runtime or Execution Error

Such errors appear unexpectedly when the program is getting executed. Even the programmer and compiler don’t have an idea of these errors. Let’s say you are trying to access a type of variable that does not exist in your code at all.

  • The division of any number by zero is a common example of it.
  • Another example is like you have an array[5,4,6,7,3] and you know well it will contain elements and its storage will start from position zero and go up to 4 but when you try to access array value out of its bound say array[6] it will result in a runtime error.
  • They are also called execution errors.

How to avoid the error:

  • You can write a particular code that can execute when such an error condition arises like you can write a print statement that users should have to enter values only between 1 to 10 while using division or so on accordingly.
  • Do try to find out the reason for the error it could be either related to value or wrong input from your side then fix it like in the case of division by zero you can avoid it.

Compilation Error

Such sort of error is that one which is resulting due to compilation time. They could be syntax or semantic. When we do write code for a program we try to debug it so that we can get an idea about errors. The compiler results in these types of errors in form of messages. These messages are generated by the operating system. These errors are nothing just a piece of code to which the compiler cannot understand.

  • For example, if you wrote a program and in any instruction, you forget to put a semicolon at end of it you will get a message regarding such sort of error after compiling.
  • They can be easily found at compile time and you can correct them.

How to avoid the error:

  • Try to use steps to overcome syntax and semantic errors like don’t omit a semicolon, not use an uninitialized variable.
  • With time and good experience, compile-time errors get reduced.
  • Whenever such error occurs do try to understand its meaning and do find the line in which they occurred.

So for the conclusion, you can say that errors are an integral part of programming. But you have to try to spot them while doing the coding. Even we are aware of the fact that sometimes due to many reasons errors can occur in our program and that is no reason for embarrassment at all. Now we understood each and everything related to the error that can give us a better idea to avoid them and also we are now familiar with different ways to tackle them by knowing their type. Few points to keep in mind while making programs:

  • Do try to write down simple codes. Simple codes can be easily debugged and errors can be found easily.
  • Try to find different ways to make any program that will enhance your ability to inter-relating things.

Hope you all found this article quite informative to provide you with deep knowledge of everything related to programming errors. You can comment with errors you encounter commonly so that we can assure people more about them. don’t forget to do online exercises related to errors that will help you to differentiate errors. Do post your views so that I can find how much the article was beneficial for you all. You can also check out our articles on MySQL vs MongoDB.