When life gives you lemon write better error messages

The phrase "When life gives you lemons, write better error messages" is a playful twist on the popular saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." In the context of software development, it suggests that when you encounter problems or unexpected situations (the "lemons"), you should focus on creating clear and helpful error messages.

Writing better error messages can significantly improve the user experience and ease the process of debugging. Instead of displaying vague or technical jargon, a good error message should:

1. Be Clear and Concise: Clearly describe what went wrong.
2. Provide Context: Include relevant information about the error.
3. Suggest a Solution: Offer guidance on how to resolve the issue.
4. Avoid Blame: Use neutral language that doesn’t make the user feel at fault.

For example, instead of showing "Error 404," a better error message might be "Page not found. Please check the URL or return to the homepage." This approach helps users understand the problem and take appropriate action, turning a frustrating experience into an opportunity for improvement.