The Most Pointless Error Messages: A Developer’s Perspective
When it comes to software development and user experience, error messages play a crucial role in guiding users and providing feedback. However, not all error messages are created equal. Some are so vague, confusing, or even absent that they do more harm than good. In this article, we will explore several examples of the most pointless error messages and analyze why they are ineffective.
Unexpected Error Occurred
A prime example of a useless error message is the one from The Good Meal Co Checkout system. The message is straightforward yet entirely unhelpful:
‘An unexpected error has occurred. We’re sorry. We were unable to process your order at this time. Please try again later.’
Not only is the error message vague and uninformative, but it also tells the user to try again later without any indication of what caused the issue in the first place. This approach can lead to frustration and distrust among users, as they are left in the dark and uncertain about what to do next.
The Blank Page Paradox
In documentation, blank pages often carry an unnecessary message: ‘This page intentionally left blank.’ This type of message is a relic from the past, dating back to the era of World War I when mechanical manuals were being written. It was created to reassure users that everything in the manual was there and nothing was missing due to printing errors or omissions.
While this may have had some utility in the past, modern documentation practices no longer require such messages. In contemporary PDFs and digital documents, the presence of a blank page followed by such a message can be seen as redundant and even misleading to users who might assume that the content has been omitted for a valid reason.
Generic and Minimalist Error Messages
Many software applications default to generic error messages like ‘Error’ or simply nothing at all. These messages are often equally uninformative and can mask serious issues. For instance, in some script-based programming languages, an erroneous input might not produce any error message, leading to unintended side effects. CAM interpreters that handle G-Code are particularly notorious for this behavior, often carrying on without any indication of failure, which can be extremely problematic.
Similarly, some applications hide all error reporting, making troubleshooting nearly impossible. As a developer, abandoning such software due to its poor error handling can be a wise decision, as it can lead to wasted time and resources. It is crucial to ensure that error messages are informative, detailed, and actionable to help users navigate issues effectively.
The Ha Ha Exit
An iconic example of a useless error message is one found in a piece of software developed by a contractor:
‘Ha Ha Exit’
This message, while humorous, is devoid of any useful information. It suggests that it was a development message that was never meant to be included in the final product but somehow managed to make its way into the installation or runtime. Such messages can be frustrating for users who encounter them and add to the overall frustration of using the software.
The Windows Software Error
A more technical example comes from Windows software and its handling of error messages. In some cases, when calling a function in the standard C library, an error is indicated by setting the global variable errno to a non-zero value, which can then be translated into a readable error message. However, there is a common mistake that developers make, which leads to confusion.
Consider a scenario where a function encounters an error and sets errno to indicate the issue. If the user tries to read the error message after the function but before the error message is shown, errno may be reset to zero, leading to an error message stating:
‘The Operation Succeeded’
This misleading message can cause significant problems for users, as they might think the operation was successful when it failed, wasting time and potentially compromising their work.
Conclusion
Effective error messaging is not just about providing text; it is about understanding the user's context and tailoring the message to help them resolve the issue. Vague or misleading error messages can lead to user frustration, wasted time, and a negative experience. As developers, it is essential to provide clear, actionable, and informative messages to guide users through the troubleshooting process. This not only improves the user experience but also enhances the reliability and usability of the software.