Debugging compilation errors

Are syntax errors, compiler errors, linker errors, or test errors bugs?

They are caused by defects in code, and you can apply debugging techniques to resolve them.

You might think, “just write the code properly, and this will never be an issue”. But they appear when you are porting/supporting another platform, using a different compiler, upgrading your tools and dependencies, and other fun situations.

When the error is clear, you’ll know exactly what to do. Some IDEs will even suggest or implement the fix for you. When it’s not clear, it’s a good candidate to search. When you come up short searching…then it’s time to use techniques like divide and conquer, setting up a minimal reproducible example, and reduce complexity.