Error Handling


Uncategorized

Updated Apr 30th, 2022

JavaScript has a built in error object that provides error information when an error occurs. The error object provides two useful properties: name and message.

“Exceptions are for exceptional things. It’s for when that something we were hoping didn’t happen, yeah, that just happened.” -Curry

Note: don’t be too detailed in the error

Control Flow vs Error Handling

Prefer control flow over error handling where you can. This includes if statements, switches, loops, etc. Alternatively you can throw an error. Using error handling as if it’s control flow isn’t recommended. Error handling should be for exceptions, things you are not sure how to handle.

Syntax

.catch()
try {

} catch(err) {

} finally {

}

from the fireship video:

await step1().catch(fun)

but this can still get repetitive so:

async function awesome() {
  try {
    const data = await promise
    return [data, null]
  } catch(err) {
    console.error(err)
    return [null, error]
  }
}

now you can call to get a clean one liner

async function main() {
 const [data, error] = await awesome()
 const [data2, error2] = await awesome()
 const [data3, error3] = await awesome()
}

Or use an “if statement” if you want to do something else with the error

async function main() {
  const [data, error] = await awesome()
  if (error) {}
  const [data2, error2] = await awesome()
  const [data3, error3] = await awesome()
}

Backend Versus Front End

The Nested Confusion

Return vs Throw

Throw Your Own Custom Error vs. Default Error Object

throw {error: "whatEvs", code: 239}

Special constructor that throws and error for us. There is the generic or you can send a special variation (example, SyntaxError, RangeError, etc.) by building off of something that’s already been defined. There are also DOM exceptions.

throw new Error()

window.onerror

Helps reduce the number of try/catch bloating your code.

Helps handle errors globally

Strategy Pattern

Refactoring.guru here

Sources

mdn docs article on control flow and error handling here.

Fireship short with tips here

Caleb Curry here

w3Schools article here

Don’t overuse try/catch here (window.onerror)

Program with Erik here (error handler factory)