Learning by Failures vs. Learning from Failures

SpaceX is celebrating its rocket explosion. In the world of software development, various attitudes toward failure exist. Some avoid it, some reluctantly embrace it, some just hack until it works, and some deliberately fail and learn from it. It's crucial to understand the difference between "learning by failures" and "learning from failures."

SpaceX Starship Test Flight:?

The fully stacked SpaceX Starship test flight recently exploded several minutes after a successful launch. Despite the explosion, the event was considered a success due to the valuable data collected. This example highlights the importance of learning from failures rather than merely experiencing them.

Thomas Edison and the Light Bulb Legend:?

The story of Thomas Edison failing 2,774 times before inventing the light bulb may create the illusion that simply failing repeatedly leads to success. In reality, it depends on the domain, and the key is learning from each failure, as blindly pursuing a vast possible domain without extracting lessons could be inefficient and unproductive.

The Importance of Error Messages for Software Developers:?

For many software developers, failure is an unpleasant experience, often leading to a quick dismissal and moving on to the next attempt. However, failures often come with crucial information in error messages. Reading and understanding these messages can guide you toward success and ensure you solve the right problem. Additionally, developers should improve error messages for the benefit of their peers.

Conclusion: Read the error message!