How to throw InvalidArgumentException JavaScript?

Question

Objective

Throw InvalidArgumentException in a JavaScript method like one does in Java or similar languages.

Background

I have been trying to familiarize myself with JavaSctipt error handling, and I know I can throw exceptions using the throw keyword.

To achieve this, I read the throw documentation on MDN and the Error documentation on MDN as well.

Problem

So far this is my code:

if (mySize >= myArray.length)
    throw new Error("InvalidArgumentExcpetion - BANG!!!!");

This code has some problems for me:

1. I have the text in the exception itself. Right now I have BANG, but tomorrow I may want BONG and if I decide to change it, I have to look everywhere!
2. I am using an Error, and not really a new object with the type InvalidArgumentExcpetion. Is this the correct way?

Questions

So now I am confused.

1. Should I create a new object like in the throw documentation, or create an Error Message?
2. Doesn't JavaScript have a InvalidArgumentException object that I can use?
3. How should I proceed in order to have a maintainable way to throw errors that uses ECMA6?

Answer 1

After doing research, I now have come down to a solution that I like. Special kudos to Toan, I would gladly chose his answer, but since I do feel that it is still a little bit incomplete, I decided to create my own answer with my own findings. Hope it helps someone !

Problems:

1. Using the solution proposed by Toan: https://stackoverflow.com/a/38146237/1337392

2. It is a possible, albeit if you want customization you do need to create your own object.

Answers:

1. If you want to handle exceptions based on their types like in Java, you should create a new object like in the document. (by Toan Nguyen)
2. Javascript does not have InvalidArgumentException (by Toan Nguyen)
3. After reasearching, this solution is the one I found: https://stackoverflow.com/a/32750746/1337392

Credits:

• Toan Nguyen, for the first answers and his great ideas
• David Wickström, for suggesting an article that led to an article that led to a blog where the answer I was looking for was.

Thanks for all the help guys! kudos++ for all!

Answer 2

I have been trying to familiarize myself with JavaSctipt [sic] error handling, and I know I can throw exceptions [....] but tomorrow I may want BONG [....]

You could throw a TypeError or a SyntaxError if they make more sense. But no need to get too fancy. Simply throw an Error with a message as it looks as though you're already doing:

if (myArray && myArray.length < mySize) throw new Error('`mySize` must be larger');

And if you decide tomorrow you want BONG:

if (!myBong) throw new Error('Officer, that is not `myBong`');

For more info on built-in errors types, read the docs.

Answer 3

Please see the answer below:

1. If you want to handle exceptions based on their types like in Java, you should create a new object like in the document.

2. If you don't want to look for the message everywhere, create a new error list like you do in Java. For instance:

   let errors = {
       invalidOperation: 'Invalid operation',
       unAuthorized: 'You are not authorized to use this function',       
   }
   

   and use them instead of hard-coded strings like

   throw new InvalidOperationException(errors.invalidOperation);
   

3. JavaScript does not have InvalidArgumentException.