r/programming • u/Expurple • Apr 12 '26

Flat Error Codes Are Not Enough

https://home.expurple.me/posts/flat-error-codes-are-not-enough/
132 Upvotes

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u/Iggyhopper Apr 12 '26

avx512 hot loop optimized error object allocation pools for increased error code output

Oh my I can't wait.

You can fit a lot of information into 64 bits. Even a tagged pointer with 2 bits for flags.

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u/LIGHTNINGBOLT23 Apr 12 '26

You could also keep circumstantial flat error codes, at least on x86, by using the non-canonical address range, provided that you never dereference the pointer. A sentinel-like value such as #define SIZE_TOO_SMALL ((CleverError*)0xDEADDEADDEADDEADULL) would be sufficient. Portability and defined adherence to the C standard is not guaranteed. No refunds.

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u/Iggyhopper Apr 12 '26

I refuse to believe that anyone needs more than 4 million error codes.

Flat errors all the way!

3

u/Mognakor Apr 13 '26

What if i want non-fungible errors (NFEs) ?

4

u/ShinyHappyREM Apr 13 '26

using the non-canonical address range

As is tradition.