The only point I would raise is that #1 isn't reliable on any system that has stdout/stderr. For most of the MS-created modules this is implemented correctly. Y

The only point I would raise is that #1 isn't reliable on any system that has stdout/stderr. For most of the MS-created modules this is implemented correctly. You also have the ability to catch and throw exceptions... foreign to people who live in scripts but essential for people who have programming experience.