How can I handle errors using std::variant in C++17?

How can I handle errors using std::variant in C++17?

You can use std::variant to represent multiple types, including error types. This allows you to handle errors gracefully.

Can you show me a code example of using std::variant for error handling?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

#include <variant>
#include <iostream>

using Error = std::string;
using Result = std::variant<int, Error>;

Result divide(int a, int b) {
    if (b == 0) return "Division by zero error";
    return a / b;
}

int main() {
    auto result = divide(10, 0);
    if (std::holds_alternative<Error>(result)) {
        std::cout << std::get<Error>(result) << std::endl;
    } else {
        std::cout << "Result: " << std::get<int>(result) << std::endl;
    }
}

This code checks for division by zero and returns an error message if it occurs.

What are the advantages of using std::variant over traditional error handling methods?

Using std::variant allows for type-safe error handling, reducing the risk of exceptions and making the code cleaner and more maintainable.