[Python-Dev] When to use EOFError?

[Nikolaus Rath]

On Jun 21 2016, Serhiy Storchaka <storchaka at gmail.com> wrote:
> There is a design question. If you read file in some format or with
> some protocol, and the data is ended unexpectedly, when to use general
> EOFError exception and when to use format/protocol specific exception?
>
> For example when load truncated pickle data, an unpickler can raise
> EOFError, UnpicklingError, ValueError or AttributeError. It is
> possible to avoid ValueError or AttributeError, but what exception
> should be raised instead, EOFError or UnpicklingError?

I think EOFError conveys more information. UnpicklingError can mean a
lot of things, EOFError tells you the precise problem: pickle expected
more data, but there was nothing left. I think in doubt the more
specific exception (in this case EOFError) should be raised.

Best,
-Nikolaus

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