Using exceptions in C++ desktop and server applications overall made sense to me. As I expanded my usage of C++ into other domains, specifically embedded domains, I began to experience more compelling reasons not to use exceptions first-hand…
From lobste.rs
Another alternative to C++ exceptions (instead of return code) is to use global (or thread local) variable. This is exactly what errno that C and POSIX are using or GetLastError what Windows is using. Of course, this has its own pros and cons.