... there is no logical option but to split the statement into parts
...
... if you've successfully retrieved a defined something from if( defined obj->parent ), you don't need to then check that it is a reference
Very true. I did not see chainig mentioned in your post, but this reply makes your comment complete.

In reply to Re^4: Error handling in chained method calls by choroba
in thread Error handling in chained method calls by szabgab

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