Writing a code is a skill but writing a bug free code is an art.
‘Bug’ – A word that makes a developer unhappy and frustrated, but in software engineering bugs are everywhere.It is impossible to write bug free code but we can reduce the number of bugs if we take care of some programming concepts. This post is mainly written for the Python development but we can achieve the same results in other programming languages by replacing some libraries for the specific language you are using.
When we start a new project, It has less code, less features resulting lesser number of bugs but as our projects grows, new developers works in parallel and lots of new features are added there is possibility that bugs will increase as a project grows, so to reduce number of bugs in any project we should apply these rules to our day to day job to achieve a bug free code.
Type Checking
Use type checking tools like mypy or pytype to perform static type checking in your Python code. These tools can help catch type-related errors before runtime and ensure that variables and function arguments are used correctly.
Linting
Employ code linters such as plint or flake8 to analyse your code for potential errors, style violations, and best practice violations. Linting can help catch common mistakes and improve code quality, reducing the chances of runtime errors.
Error Monitoring
Utilise error monitoring and logging services like Sentry, Rollbar, or Bugsnag to track and log runtime errors in your applications. These services can provide real-time notifications, detailed error reports, and insights into the root causes of errors, enabling you to quickly identify and resolve issues.
Unit Testing
Unit testing is a great way to test your code against errors, bugs, performance etc.Implement comprehensive unit tests using frameworks like unittest or pytest to validate the behaviour and correctness of your code. Thorough testing helps identify potential issues early on and provides a safety net against runtime errors.
Exception Handling Libraries
Consider using libraries like raven or loguru that provide enhanced exception handling capabilities. These libraries can streamline exception reporting, improve error messages, and offer additional features for error handling and logging.
Defensive Programming
Practice defensive coding techniques to handle unexpected situations and inputs.Implement proper input validation, boundary checks, and null checks to prevent common runtime errors caused by incorrect or unexpected data.
Documentation and Code Reviews
Document your code thoroughly, including function and module descriptions, input/ output specifications, and potential error scenarios. Conduct code reviews to ensure adherence to coding standards, catch errors, and solicit feedback from peers.
Update Packages
Regularly update your Python packages and dependencies to leverage bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements. Outdated packages can introduce compatibility issues and vulnerabilities that may lead to runtime errors.
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