Re: Errors in (Dr)Racket

> On Jan 1, 2017, at 1:17 PM, Stephen De Gabrielle <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I occasionally write code with errors* that cause the DrRacket error message to link to an internal Racket file, rather than my own incorrect code. 
> 
> The last time I did this it was doing web server code, but I've also managed it with GUI code.(and playing with DrRacket Plugins)
> 
> I've not filed a report (or attempted a patch) on this before, mostly out of embarrassment, but also because because I feel out of my depth in the racket internals and the error was in my own code. 
> 
> Should I report these when I find them? Should I attempt to work out the cause and attempt a patch? 


A long time ago, Robby and I conjectured that if people reported those kinds of errors, the creators of libraries would eventually protect their APIs with contracts and the software would become more robust. This ‘gradual hardening’ with contracts did not happen over time. Sure, some people added contracts to libraries, others wrote them in Typed Racket. But all in all, we added contracts because we wanted to not because of ‘client pressure.’ 

Your email is validation that something was wrong with our conjecture, but I can’t figure out what exactly is wrong. The word ‘fear’ and ‘embarrassment’ are suggestive. Perhaps developers are intimidated by the creators APIs and Libraries, because these people must be so much better and can’t possibly make mistakes. 

Well we all make mistakes and if others report them, we get better at overcoming these mistakes (starting with the elimination of bugs). 

Happy New Year — Matthias

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