When learning about complex systems, using an iterative process that I call **Error-Driven Development (EDD)**can be helpful. This process is conceptually similar to TDD (Test-Driven-Development). Except it's less formally organized. EDD is more about eyeballing and quick exploration. In fact, while the philosophical approach is similar, EDD doesn't involve writing any tests. You are the test case, and you're already here :)
Benefits of EDD
Error-Driven Development can help you in two ways.
1. Reading Error Messages
Familiarity with reading error messages is one of the most important skills when working in any line of software development. Too often, they seem scary and unwieldy. When practicing EDD, you will get accustomed to reading and understanding the helpful tips that Django offers. Training this skill is crucial because you will encounter error messages all the time. Let me repeat that and put it here for you as a quote:
You will encounter error messages all. the. time.
To train your error-reading skills, you will use the projects in this course to encounter as many error messages as possible.
2. Learning About the System You're Working With
Purposefully running into error messages gives you another angle to explore the system that you are working with. EDD encourages you to think about how does something work by first exploring when it doesn't work. Once you see that something doesn't function as expected, you figure out what needs to be done in order to make it work.
Throughout this course, you will be running into lots and lots of error messages. Keep in mind that they are just Django's way of chatting with you about a potential misunderstanding, with the honest-to-good intention of figuring it out together. Like in any misunderstanding, as long as both parties are cooperative, you have a great opportunity to better understand how the other party works and thinks. :)
Summary: Error Driven Development
Using EDD, you will train to:
- See error messages without worry
- Read error messages and gather the useful tips from them
- Resolve error messages by understanding what they mean and where to look to fix the underlying issue
- Explore the system you are learning about
So, get ready to run into errors frequently. The first part of this course is designed so you will encounter a lot of error messages. This will help you to train a crucial skill in software development that will be useful far beyond Django and even beyond Python.
Ready to run into errors? Alright, let's get started:
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