comment on

... I'd prefer that exceptions generally be fatal, and would like to discourage trying to use the exception system for complex flow of control. Which means that all of TheDamian's arguments for exception objects are arguments for how to better do what I'd like people not to do.

The emotion behind this evokes some fellow feeling but I don't find much logic in it. Exceptions are always a flow of control mechanism. Exceptions usually are fatal. Exceptions should be used to clarify flow of control. And if you must do something, distaste is not a reason to do it badly.

Exceptions are all about passing control to unknown code.

The type or value of an exception should rarely be needed by the handler; that is the start of a brittle, tangled mess. I use the type to carry meaning without being locked into a representation (for those rare occasions). I use the object to carry a bunch of diagnostic data.

I use exceptions like a more robust and efficient version of the LIBNAME_STATUS variables common to old C libraries. Rarely is there any fine discrimination by the handler, usually just FAILURE vs. SUCCESS.

Be well,
rir

In reply to Re^3: Style guide for error messages? by rir
in thread Style guide for error messages? by xdg

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