CLHS: Function SIGNAL

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Function SIGNAL

Syntax:

signal datum `&rest` arguments => nil

Arguments and Values:

datum, arguments---designators for a condition of default type simple-condition.

Description:

Signals the condition denoted by the given datum and arguments. If the condition is not handled, signal returns nil.

Examples:

     (defun handle-division-conditions (condition)
       (format t "Considering condition for division condition handling~%")
       (when (and (typep condition 'arithmetic-error)
                  (eq '/ (arithmetic-error-operation condition)))
         (invoke-debugger condition)))
    HANDLE-DIVISION-CONDITIONS
     (defun handle-other-arithmetic-errors (condition)
       (format t "Considering condition for arithmetic condition handling~%")
       (when (typep condition 'arithmetic-error)
         (abort)))
    HANDLE-OTHER-ARITHMETIC-ERRORS
     (define-condition a-condition-with-no-handler (condition) ())
    A-CONDITION-WITH-NO-HANDLER
     (signal 'a-condition-with-no-handler)
    NIL
     (handler-bind ((condition #'handle-division-conditions)
                      (condition #'handle-other-arithmetic-errors))
       (signal 'a-condition-with-no-handler))
    Considering condition for division condition handling
    Considering condition for arithmetic condition handling
    NIL
     (handler-bind ((arithmetic-error #'handle-division-conditions)
                      (arithmetic-error #'handle-other-arithmetic-errors))
       (signal 'arithmetic-error :operation '* :operands '(1.2 b)))
    Considering condition for division condition handling
    Considering condition for arithmetic condition handling
    Back to Lisp Toplevel

Side Effects:

The debugger might be entered due to *break-on-signals*.

Handlers for the condition being signaled might transfer control.

Affected By:

Existing handler bindings.

*break-on-signals*

Exceptional Situations: None.

See Also:

*break-on-signals*, error, simple-condition, Section 9.1.4 (Signaling and Handling Conditions)

Notes:

If `(typep` datum`*break-on-signals*)` yields true, the debugger is entered prior to beginning the signaling process. The continue restart can be used to continue with the signaling process. This is also true for all other functions and macros that should, might, or must signal conditions.

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