Write better error messages
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Submission timeline
2007–2026One slot for every year since HN launched. Height is that year's peak points; orange marks a 100+ point or 50+ comment breakout. Select a bar to open its strongest thread.
First comments on top threads
HN comment orderI don't disagree with any points but they missed a big one. If at all possible, include some application (or attempt at a globally) unique error code on each of your errors - i.e. YCOM-HN-9021. When you provide a clearly googleable string you can help your users independently resolve the issue and you can also set up google alerts on the string - if you roll out a new feature that took 3 months to develop and a week later…
Error: File not found Which file?!?!?! Anyway, I disagree strongly on the technical jargon. Ok, if it's not really an error and the user can retry or similar sure. But if it's bad times, an exception or similar, don't care about the user. Instead include as much detail as you need. A non-technical user won't be able to do anything anyway, and a sanitized error message means support or a technical user has a much harder time figuring out what…
Good error messages are massively underrated. A lot of products feel “broken” simply because the system communicates uncertainty poorly.
The first top-level comment from each of the four biggest threads, in HN’s own order. Excerpts are shortened; open a comment for full context.
- Breakout years
- 2
- Total points
- 743
- Total comments
- 318
100+ points or 50+ comments
reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking
reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking
Every submission
| Date | Title as submitted | By | Points | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-10-19 | When life gives you lemons, write better error messages | bpierre | 1 | 0 |
| 2022-10-19 | Write better error messagesFirst breakout · Best thread | noch | 566 | 253 |
| 2026-05-08 | When life gives you lemons, write better error messagesLatest 20+ point return | luispa | 172 | 64 |
| 2026-05-10 | When life gives you lemons, write better error messages | dnw | 4 | 1 |