Data-oriented exception handling in Ada

Abstract

A set of language features that can be added to Ada that associate exceptions with the operations of a data type and exception handlers with data objects are presented. The notation is called data-oriented exception exception handling to distinguish it from more conventional, control-oriented mechanisms. The implementation of a preprocessor from the notation to Ada is described. Empirical studies indicate that control-oriented exception handling mechanisms are more complex than necessary for the tasks they perform, and that data-oriented exception handling can be used to produce programs that are smaller, better structured, and easier to understand and modify.<>