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Adding and Using Custom Exceptions in C#: Best Practices and Use Cases

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In C#, exceptions are used to handle run-time errors and enable developers to write code that gracefully handles unpredictable situations. While C# provides a set of built-in exceptions, there are times when you may need to create and use custom exceptions to handle specific situations in your code. In this blog post, we will explore the best practices for adding and using custom exceptions in C#, and discuss some common use cases where custom exceptions can be beneficial.

What are Custom Exceptions?

A custom exception is a user-defined exception that extends the base Exception class provided by C#. By creating a custom exception, you can define your own exception types and handle them in a specific way within your code. This allows you to properly encapsulate and communicate the exceptional behavior of your application.

Creating a Custom Exception

To create a custom exception in C#, you need to define a new class that inherits from the base Exception class. Let’s illustrate this with an example:

public class InvalidInputException : Exception
{
    public InvalidInputException() { }

    public InvalidInputException(string message) : base(message) { }

    public InvalidInputException(string message, Exception innerException) : base(message, innerException) { }
}

In the above code snippet, we’ve created a custom exception called InvalidInputException that inherits from the base Exception class. It provides three constructors to handle different scenarios when throwing the exception.

Throwing Custom Exceptions

Once you have created your custom exception, you can throw it in your code whenever you encounter an exceptional situation. Let’s see an example:

public class Calculator
{
    public int Divide(int dividend, int divisor)
    {
        if (divisor == 0)
        {
            throw new DivideByZeroException("Divisor cannot be zero.");
        }

        if (dividend < 0 || divisor < 0)
        {
            throw new InvalidInputException("Negative values are not allowed.");
        }

        return dividend / divisor;
    }
}

In the above code, we’re using the custom exception InvalidInputException to handle the scenario when negative values are passed as inputs to the Divide method of the Calculator class. By throwing this custom exception, we provide a clear indication of what went wrong and allow for targeted exception handling.

Handling Custom Exceptions

When you throw a custom exception, you should also handle it appropriately within your code to take corrective actions or provide meaningful feedback to the user. To handle a custom exception, you can use try-catch blocks. Let’s see an example:

Calculator calculator = new Calculator();

try
{
    int result = calculator.Divide(10, 0);
    Console.WriteLine(result);
}
catch (DivideByZeroException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Error: " + ex.Message);
}
catch (InvalidInputException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Error: " + ex.Message);
}

In the above code, we handle both the DivideByZeroException and InvalidInputException exceptions separately and provide appropriate error messages to the user. Handling custom exceptions in this way allows for granular error reporting and better control over the flow of your application.

Best Practices for Using Custom Exceptions

1. Follow a Meaningful Naming Convention

When creating custom exceptions, it is essential to follow a naming convention that accurately describes the exceptional situation being handled. Use descriptive names that reflect the nature of the exception, making it easier for other developers to understand and handle the exception appropriately.

2. Provide Useful Exception Messages

Custom exceptions should have informative messages that clearly define the problem and guide the user towards a solution. Consider including relevant information such as the context or specific values that caused the exception. Well-crafted exception messages improve debugging and ultimately help resolve issues faster.

3. Inherit from Existing Exception Types

Whenever possible, try to inherit from existing exception types that are closely related to your specific exception. This allows for better categorization and more specialized exception handling. By using existing exception types as base classes, you can leverage existing exception-handling mechanisms and avoid confusing other developers with unnecessary custom exception types.

4. Layer Custom Exceptions Appropriately

In a large application or system, it is common to have multiple layers of exception handling. When using custom exceptions, it’s crucial to ensure that exceptions are handled at the appropriate layer. This helps maintain the separation of concerns and allows for better error recovery and reporting.

5. Unit Test Exception Handling

Testing exception handling is as important as testing regular functionality. Ensure you have comprehensive unit tests in place that cover various scenarios where your custom exceptions can be thrown. This helps validate the correct behavior of your exception-handling code and enhances the overall reliability of your application.

Use Cases for Custom Exceptions

Now that we have covered the best practices, let’s discuss a few common use cases where custom exceptions can be utilized effectively:

1. Domain-Specific Exceptions

In a domain-driven design, custom exceptions can be used to represent specific business rules and constraints. For example, you might define a InsufficientFundsException to handle situations where a customer tries to withdraw more money than is available in their account.

2. API Exception Handling

When building APIs, custom exceptions can be used to represent specific error states and provide well-defined error responses to clients. This enhances the clarity and usability of your API, enabling the client applications to handle exceptions more gracefully.

3. Validation Exception Handling

Custom exceptions can be utilized to handle validation-related errors. For instance, you may create a ValidationException to handle input validation failures, allowing you to centralize and standardize the error reporting logic across your application.

4. Integration Exception Handling

When integrating with external systems or services, custom exceptions can be used to encapsulate any errors that occur during the interaction. This enables you to handle integration-specific exceptions separately from other types of exceptions and implement appropriate retry mechanisms or alternative strategies.

Adding and using custom exceptions in C# can greatly enhance the error-handling capabilities of your application, providing more accurate and targeted exception handling. It is important to follow best practices such as meaningful naming conventions, informative exception messages, and appropriate exception handling throughout your codebase. By utilizing custom exceptions in the right scenarios, you can create more robust and reliable software systems.

Remember to test your exception-handling logic and continuously refine it based on real-world scenarios and user feedback. With proper implementation and thoughtful use, custom exceptions can greatly improve the quality and maintainability of your C# codebase.

Enhance C# Code with If/Else and Switch Statements | Advanced Techniques and Best Practices

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Introduction to conditional statements in C

Conditional statements are an essential part of any programming language, and C# is no exception. These statements allow us to control the flow of our code, making it more dynamic and responsive. In C#, two primary conditional statements are widely used: if/else and switch. In this article, we will explore the power of these statements and learn how to leverage their full potential to level up our C# code.

Understanding the if/else statement

The if/else statement is one of the fundamental building blocks of branching logic in C#. It allows us to execute different blocks of code based on a condition. The syntax is straightforward:

if (condition)
{
    // Code to be executed if the condition is true
}
else
{
    // Code to be executed if the condition is false
}

By using if/else statements, we can make our code more flexible and responsive. We can perform different actions depending on various conditions, allowing our program to adapt to different scenarios.

Advanced techniques with if/else statements

While the basic if/else statement is powerful on its own, there are advanced techniques that can further enhance its functionality. One such technique is using multiple if statements. Instead of just one condition, we can have multiple conditions, and each condition will be checked in order. If a condition is true, the corresponding block of code will be executed, and the rest of the if statements will be skipped.

Another technique is using nested if statements. This involves placing an if statement inside another if statement. This allows for more complex conditions and branching logic. By nesting if statements, we can create intricate decision trees that handle a wide range of scenarios.

Introduction to the Switch statement

Unlike an if/else statement, a switch statement provides a more concise and structured way to handle multiple conditions. It is especially useful when we have a single variable that can take on different values. The syntax of a switch statement is as follows:

switch (variable)
{
    case value1:        // Code to be executed if variable equals value1
    break;
    case value2:        // Code to be executed if variable equals value2
    break;
    default:        // Code to be executed if variable doesn't match any case 
    break;
}

Using switch statements, we can handle multiple conditions in a more efficient way. It is often used when we have a single variable that can take on different values. We can write multiple case statements for the different values that the variable might take, and the corresponding code block will be executed if a match is found. If no match is found, the code inside the default block will be executed. Switch statements are especially useful when we need to handle many different conditions with large blocks of code. They provide a more organized and structured way to write our branching logic compared to if/else statements.

Benefits of using switch statements

Switch statements provide several benefits over if/else statements. First, they offer a more concise and readable syntax, especially when dealing with multiple conditions. The switch statement clearly separates each case, making the code easier to understand and maintain.

Second, switch statements can be more efficient than if/else statements in certain scenarios. When there are multiple conditions to check, the switch statement can use a “jump table” to directly go to the correct block of code, avoiding unnecessary comparisons. This can lead to improved performance, especially when dealing with large datasets.

Finally, switch statements can also make debugging easier. Since each case and its corresponding code block are clearly separated, it is much easier to identify the source of any errors or bugs. This makes debugging faster and more efficient.

In general, switch statements offer many advantages over if/else statements and should be used whenever possible. They provide a more concise syntax and can lead to improved performance in certain scenarios. Furthermore, they make debugging easier by clearly separating each case with its corresponding code block.

Comparing if/else and switch statements

When deciding whether to use an if/else statement or a switch statement, there are a few factors to consider. If the conditions are based on ranges or complex logical expressions, if/else statements are more suitable. They provide the flexibility to handle complex conditions using logical operators like AND (&&) and OR (||).

On the other hand, if the conditions are based on a single variable with discrete values, a switch statement is the better choice. It provides a more structured and readable syntax, making the code easier to understand and maintain.

In summary, when deciding which statement to use, it is important to consider the complexity of the conditions and the type of data that will be used. If/else statements are better suited for more complex conditions, while switch statements are ideal for discrete values. Both offer advantages over each other in certain scenarios, so it is important to choose the right one for each situation. Ultimately, understanding both options and their pros and cons will help you make an informed decision when writing your code.

Best practices for using branching logic in C

To make the most of branching logic in C#, it is essential to follow some best practices. First, strive for clarity and readability in your code. Use meaningful variable names and provide comments when necessary to explain the logic behind your conditional statements.

Second, avoid unnecessary complexity. Keep your conditions simple and straightforward. If a complex condition is required, consider breaking it down into smaller, more manageable parts.

Lastly, remember to handle all possible cases. Whether you’re using if/else or switch statements, ensure that every possible scenario is accounted for. This will prevent unexpected behavior and make your code more robust.

Conclusion and final thoughts

Conditional statements are powerful tools that allow us to create dynamic and responsive code in C#. By understanding the if/else and switch statements and their advanced techniques, we can harness the full potential of branching logic.

Whether you choose to use if/else statements for complex conditions or switch statements for discrete values, the key is to write clean and readable code. Following best practices and considering the specific requirements of your code will help you level up your C# skills and create efficient and maintainable programs.

So go ahead, dive into the world of conditional statements, unlock the dynamic potential of if/else, and switch statements to take your C# code to the next level!

John

Will be a little dusty with all the deprecations coming up!

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ADAL has sunset so I cannot trust it in Azure SBM. MSAL looks great but they have it hard coded to not issue a token credential on mobile!?!?!? Seems in many ways mobile can be hardened better than a PC and can be truly remote wiped based on many conditions. Microsoft seems really out of touch with mobile and the corporate world.

But I think I might have found a REST alternative for Storage management client authentication. I’ll be trying it out this afternoon to see what happens!

John

Azure complications with their ninja updates to services behind the scene

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Picture uploads were working in November just fine as I had tested them to make sure the changes to the Function script were ok. But when I checked in mid-January it wasn’t working at all. I troubleshot for days to see if it was a configuration error or not but did not find anything out of the ordinary.

After opening a ticket they checked and said the Function server kept rebooting for some reason. Hmm, I said about that as I did not change anything in January when it stopped working. I asked them to check if there was an update to the container OS running the function and get back to me on it.

Well after about 2 weeks they said that my Python module ProtoBuf by google was out of date. So I updated all the required modules in requirements.txt and pushed it to GitHub and after it deployed the Function again and compiled it was running like a champ.

So they had updated the Python version on the image and updated their Function requirements as far as modules as well.

So next time I’m just going to open a ticket and let them tell me what had changed LOL.

John