Re: Whether to raise exception or End_of_List function

["chris.danx" <chris.danx@ntlworld.com>]

> > My question is which is the better solution; Exception or a End_of_List
> > function and which would have fewer side effects?
>
> Have both!  i.e. an End_Of_List function for when you need to know when
> you've reached the end of a list, and an exception for when you fall of
the
> list and attempt to use it.
>
> I have a similar problem with a recent assignment, and I found both to be
> helpful (exceptions are for getting the bugs out, and knowing where they
are
> (although not all bugs are detectable by exceptions)).  An exception will
be
> generated anyway if your iterator attempts to use a null valued access
type
> (assuming that's how the implementation works), but you may want your own
> exception -- it can be helpful sometimes.

I wasn't clear there.  Exceptions are for catching bugs and unexpected
conditions, and *if possible* (and desirable) recover from them.  If not
then they are helpful when you need to fix a program.

Thought it best to be clear on that,
Chris


> Chris
>