[michaelwww]

I disagree. Building an error checking scaffolding around every possible and unlikely error obscures the expected flow of control. If I checked for every possible error condition before I started the engine of my car in the morning it would take me an hour to get out of the driveway. I'd much rather have the car tell me when something was wrong and not start. If the system you are using already throws exceptions, you might as well use them too.