Master error handling patterns across languages including exceptions, Result types, error propagation, and graceful degradation to build resilient applications. Use when implementing error handling, designing APIs, or improving application reliability.

Error Handling Patterns Build resilient applications with robust error handling strategies that gracefully handle failures and provide excellent debugging experiences. When to Use This Skill Implementing error handling in new features Designing error resilient APIs Debugging production issues Improving application reliability Creating better error messages for users and developers Implementing retry and circuit breaker patterns Handling async/concurrent errors Building fault tolerant distributed systems Core Concepts 1. Error Handling Philosophies Exceptions vs Result Types: Exceptions : Traditional try catch, disrupts control flow Result Types : Explicit success/failure, functional approach Error Codes : C style, requires discipline Option/Maybe Types : For nullable values When to Use Each: Exceptions: Unexpected errors, exceptional conditions Result Types: Expected errors, validation failures Panics/Crashes: Unrecoverable errors, programming bugs 2. Error Categories Recoverable Errors: Network timeouts Missing files Invalid user input API rate limits Unrecoverable Errors: Out of memory Stack overflow Programming bugs (null pointer, etc.) Detailed patterns and worked examples Detailed pattern documentation lives in references/details.md . Read that file when the navigation tier above is insufficient. Best Practices 1. Fail Fast : Validate input early, fail quickly 2. Preserve Context : Include stack traces, metadata, timestamps 3. Meaningful Messages : Explain what happened and how to fix it 4. Log Appropriately : Error = log, expected failure = don't spam logs 5. Handle at Right Level : Catch where you can meaningfully handle 6. Clean Up Resources : Use try finally, context managers, defer 7. Don't Swallow Errors : Log or re throw, don't silently ignore 8. Type Safe Errors : Use typed errors when possible Common Pitfalls Catching Too Broadly : except Exception hides bugs Empty Catch Blocks : Silently swallowing errors Logging and Re throwing : Creates duplicate log entries Not Cleaning Up : Forgetting to close files, connections Poor Error Messages : "Error occurred" is not helpful Returning Error Codes : Use exceptions or Result types Ignoring Async Errors : Unhandled promise rejections

error-handling-patterns