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> "setjmp" and "longjmp" are the mechanism for implementing exceptions in C Correct, but reductive. They can be used for many other things.

• adrian_b 4y ago
  The more general POV is that "setjmp" defines a continuation and "longjmp" invokes it. While the most frequent use of explicit continuations is for implementing exceptions, you are right that there are many other programming techniques based on explicit continuations (for instance coroutines).
  • rwmj 4y ago
    I'm now wondering if anyone has written an actual continuation library in C (ie saving and restoring the whole stack). Is it possible?
    • yvdriess 4y ago
      yes and yes.
    • menaerus 4y ago
      Coroutines are one good example.
• someweirdperson 4y ago
  > They can be used for many other things. The underlying primitive offers even more flexibility, but exceptions (in the sense of programming languages) can also be used for many other things than exceptions (in the sense of natural language, to handle exceptional cases).
  • bogomipz 4y ago
    >"... but exceptions (in the sense of programming languages) can also be used for many other things than exceptions ..." Can you elaborate? What are the other ways exceptions are used when not used to handle exceptional situations?