Proper use of the *error* function can ensure that AutoCAD returns to a particular state after an error occurs. Through this user-definable function you can assess the error condition and return an appropriate message to the user. If AutoCAD encounters an error during evaluation, it prints a message in the following form:
Error: text
In this message, text describes the error. However, if the *error* function is defined (that is, if it is not nil), AutoLISP executes *error* instead of printing the message. The *error* function receives text as its single argument.
If *error* is not defined or is nil, AutoLISP evaluation stops and displays a traceback of the calling function and its callers. It is beneficial to leave this error handler in effect while you debug your program.
A code for the last error is saved in the AutoCAD system variable ERRNO, where you can retrieve it by using the getvar function. See Error Handling in AutoLISP for a list of error codes and their meaning.
Before defining your own *error* function, save the current contents of *error* so that the previous error handler can be restored upon exit. When an error condition exists, AutoCAD calls the currently defined *error* function and passes it one argument, which is a text string describing the nature of the error. Your *error* function should be designed to exit quietly after an ESC (cancel) or an exit function call. The standard way to accomplish this is to include the following statements in your error-handling routine.
(if
(or
(= msg "Function cancelled")
(= msg "quit / exit abort")
)
(princ)
(princ (strcat "\nError: " msg))
)
This code examines the error message passed to it and ensures that the user is informed of the nature of the error. If the user cancels the routine while it is running, nothing is returned from this code. Likewise, if an error condition is programmed into your code and the exit function is called, nothing is returned. It is presumed you have already explained the nature of the error by using print statements. Remember to include a terminating call to princ if you don't want a return value printed at the end of an error routine.
The main caveat about error-handling routines is they are normal AutoLISP functions that can be canceled by the user. Keep them as short and as fast as possible. This will increase the likelihood that an entire routine will execute if called.
You can also warn the user about error conditions by displaying an alert box, which is a small dialog box containing a message supplied by your program. To display an alert box, call the alert function.
The following call to alert displays an alert box:
(alert "File not found")