Result Types
Result types are a programming language feature or pattern used to handle operations that can succeed or fail, typically returning either a success value or an error value in a type-safe way. They provide a structured alternative to exceptions or error codes, making error handling explicit and reducing runtime surprises. Common implementations include Rust's Result<T, E>, Swift's Result<Success, Failure>, and similar constructs in other languages.
Developers should use result types when building robust applications where predictable error handling is critical, such as in systems programming, network operations, or file I/O. They are especially valuable in languages that emphasize safety and correctness, as they force explicit handling of errors at compile time, reducing bugs and improving code clarity. This pattern is ideal for scenarios where failures are expected and need to be managed gracefully without crashing.