[nknighthb]

> code that has to be more convoluted to put the exit at the top of bottom

Note I said only way out. The point is that if "the" (intended) exit can't reasonably be in the loop condition, then adding an escape hatch to have a second way out is useful.

Assuming C you can even just compress the whole thing to a for_x_tries(n) macro.

> What if the escape hatch triggers to early?

You'll get a helpful message and can bump the count. Easily-isolated errors are preferable to frozen/DoS'd systems.