erCPP

erCPP is a hypothetical extension for the C++ language designed to improve ergonomic error handling and resource management while preserving performance. It provides higher-level abstractions that integrate with standard C++ features, aiming to reduce boilerplate without sacrificing compatibility with existing code.

Origin and scope: erCPP emerged in the mid-2020s among C++ practitioners seeking safer patterns for error propagation and resource lifetimes. It is described as an experimental extension rather than a standard, intended to be opt-in and interoperable with ordinary C++ code.

Design and features: The core concept is to provide ergonomic constructs that replace scattered error checks and manual guards. Key elements include a Result<T, E> type for success or failure, constructors such as Ok(value) and Err(error), and helpers to propagate errors with minimal boilerplate. It also offers scope-based guards to guarantee deterministic cleanup, while targeting zero-overhead abstractions when possible.

Usage example: A function using the extension might look like: Result<int, std::string> compute(int x) { if (x < 0) return Err("negative input"); return Ok(x * 2); }

Interoperability and adoption: erCPP is designed as an opt-in layer that can coexist with standard exceptions and existing code. It aims for gradual adoption, allowing developers to introduce its types alongside ordinary types and standard library facilities, with attention to performance and toolchain compatibility.

Reception and status: As an experimental concept, erCPP has drawn interest for ergonomics but has faced questions about non-standard status, portability, and long-term maintenance. It remains outside official C++ standards, mainly discussed in community forums and prototypes rather than production-ready tooling.

See also: C++, std::optional, std::expected, and error-handling patterns in programming languages.

References: The erCPP project page and related documentation, along with community discussions.