What term describes code that is designed to account for potential errors?

Defensive coding refers to the practice of writing code in a way that anticipates potential errors and unexpected behavior. This approach aims to ensure that the application continues to function as intended, even in the face of unforeseen issues. By foreseeing possible misuse or erroneous inputs, developers can implement measures such as error handling, input validation, and assertions to safeguard the application.

For example, a function that processes user input might include checks to verify that the input is of the expected type and within a valid range. Instead of allowing the program to crash due to an unexpected input, defensive coding would gracefully handle the error, possibly by informing the user of the mistake and prompting for new input. This methodology enhances the robustness and reliability of software, making it less prone to failures when deployed in a real-world environment.

The other terms may suggest various coding methodologies but do not specifically address the priority of anticipating and safeguarding against potential errors. Proactive coding emphasizes a forward-thinking approach but lacks the specific focus on error management. Preventive coding suggests a similar concept but is not widely recognized as a standard term in software development. Reactive coding, on the other hand, focuses on responding to errors after they occur rather than preventing them through careful design upfront.