Mistakes Happen

As programmers, we face a tough reality: we work with machines that are built to be flawless. Computers follow instructions to the letter, executing tasks without deviation or error. In theory, a computer bug is simply the result of human oversight at some point in the process. The machine doesn’t make mistakes; we do.

Humans are inevitably prone to errors, and no matter how experienced a programmer may be, mistakes will happen in code. In industries such as medicine and aviation, errors can have life-or-death consequences. So, as programmers, how do we create reliable, mistake-free software while also accepting that errors will occur?

Building Safeguards

I’ve faced my fair share of bugs, and I take the challenge seriously. In my search for ways to minimize mistakes, I looked at industries where errors are unacceptable, like aerospace and healthcare. These fields rely heavily on rigorous procedures, checklists, and coding standards to prevent issues before they arise.

NASA, for example, enforces strict software engineering standards to ensure reliability. Automated testing is also commonly used to validate code before deployment, providing continuous feedback to catch bugs early. By combining consistent procedures, thorough checklists, strict coding standards, and automated testing, we can catch mistakes early, reduce errors, and create more reliable software.

The Perception of Errors

Most programmers aren’t writing code for high-risk systems like missiles or life-saving medical equipment, so the odds of a bug causing loss of life are extremely low. However, bugs still matter because others—co-workers, clients, and end users—rely on our code and have expectations.

We are experts in our craft, but it’s impossible to communicate all the nuances of our work. There will always be a gap between how we see our code and how others perceive it. For example, a small typo in a variable name could crash an application, just as a poorly designed, convoluted codebase could. While a programmer may consider the latter more serious, to the client both issues are equally problematic, they both result in application failures.

Putting It Into Practice

How can we make code as bug-free as possible? The first step is simple: slow down. Mistakes often happen when we rush to meet deadlines or work under pressure. In these moments, it’s crucial to pause, take a deep breath, and refocus on the task at hand. Many bugs arise from eagerness to finish quickly, rather than from lack of skill or knowledge.

Next, establish procedures to catch mistakes early. Today, this is often done through a CI/CD pipeline, which allows code changes to be tested and deployed in a repeatable, automated manner. Combining this with automated front-end tests, backend unit tests, and deployment blockers ensures that errors are caught before they reach production.

Finally, implement monitoring tools to provide developers with insights into resource usage and performance. Many monitoring platforms track resource usage and identify common errors in the codebase. Paying attention to performance not only helps maintain the system but also makes it easier to spot areas for refactoring and optimization.