|
This page contains an archived post to the Java Answers Forum made prior to February 25, 2002.
If you wish to participate in discussions, please visit the new
Artima Forums.
Message:
Exceptions v/s Return values
Posted by Amit on October 17, 2000 at 3:02 AM
Hi Amol.
Pls check out the topic Designing with Exceptions in
the design section. I think that will answer your query.
Thanks & regards,
Amit > Hi.
> Pls pardon for a slightly large post. > I have a design related query regarding whether to use
> exceptions or return values. I mean how does one decide
> or what are the factors that would help one decide whether
> to go for Exceptions or Return values. > Sometimes it is not possible to use return values to
> indicate error condition like say u return int and all
> possible int values are valid return values. Then you go
> for throwing exception to indicate an error condition. But
> at other times maybe all int values are not valid return
> values so that you go for returning a non-standard int value
> that indicates an error condition.(Classic example of this
> case is the function String.indexOf("somestring") which
> returns -1 to indicate search string not found.) > It is such cases where i am not sure whether to go for
> using return values or exceptions. Is there any overhead
> involved in using exceptions as compared to return values?
> Also another factor in my mind that may influence the choice
> is the fact that Exceptions have the ability to return more
> information wrapped inside the exception object where as
> return values cant do that. > I'd like to have a definitive answer on this though, and any
> comments on the same would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Amol Deshmukh
> Cognizant Technology Solutions,
> Pune,
> India
Replies:
|
