Understanding Technical Error Messages: Why Some Texts Aren’t Stories
Technical error messages exist for one purpose: to communicate a problem in the most direct way possible. When someone encounters an error like "Insufficient account balance," they’re not looking for a narrative or a story. They need a precise explanation of what went wrong and, ideally, a hint on how to fix it. Yet many misunderstandings happen when people try to read more into these messages than what they explicitly state.
Why Technical Messages Lack Narratives
A story follows a structure—characters, conflict, resolution—but an error message isn’t designed for that. Its purpose is to convey an issue as efficiently as possible. A JSON response, for example, isn’t an essay or a news article. It’s formatted to be machine-readable and directly actionable for developers or system users.
What a JSON Error Response Represents
A JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) response is a structured data format used to exchange information between a client and a server. If a banking app returns a response like:
{
"error": "Insufficient account balance",
"code": 402
}
This isn’t storytelling—it’s a direct instruction for the system (or the user) to understand the issue. Any attempt to "rewrite" this in creative prose removes the efficiency the format is built for.
Why Simplicity Matters in Error Communication
When something goes wrong, clarity is more valuable than embellishment. Error messages should be brief, specific, and actionable. Adding unnecessary context only leads to misunderstanding. If a user sees "Transaction failed due to insufficient balance," they immediately know what the issue is. There’s no reason to add a backstory about financial management or explain the banking system’s history.
The Mistake of Over-Interpreting Technical Messages
People sometimes try to extract meaning where none exists. A JSON error response isn’t a moral lesson about spending habits—it’s a simple statement triggered by predefined conditions. Just because something looks unfamiliar or stripped of context doesn’t mean there’s hidden meaning to be found. Technical messages don’t require artistic rewriting; they require understanding.
Context Over Complexity
The best way to understand an error message is to focus on its context. Is it appearing when attempting a transaction? Then it likely relates to account funds or payment methods. Is it showing up in software development? Then it may indicate a bug or a missing resource. Rather than searching for a story, look for practical solutions.
Final Thoughts
There’s a time for storytelling and a time for precision. Technical communications, especially error messages, fall into the latter category. Instead of trying to rewrite them, focus on extracting their meaning and using that information to resolve the issue at hand.
#ErrorMessages #TechnicalCommunication #JSONResponses #ClarityOverComplexity
Featured Image courtesy of Unsplash and Steve Ding (T42j_xLOqw0)