Heuristics 5 & 6: Error Prevention & Recognition vs. Recall

5. Error Prevention

Even better than good error messages is a careful design which prevents a problem from occurring in the first place:

• Example: Date pickers preventing impossible dates, email fields validating format in real time, and asking for confirmation before deleting accounts.

6. Recognition Rather Than Recall

Minimize the user's memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the dialogue to another:

• Example: Autocomplete search suggestions, recently viewed items list, and visible dropdown menus rather than hidden command codes.