note venk I suggest using subclasses rather than trying to differentiate your exceptions through 'fields'. <code> if ( my $e = X::Class::SubClass1->caught ) { # handle } elsif ( my $e = X::Class::SubClass2->caught ) { # handle } </code> In each block, the above code directly describes the type of error that it handles --- I think using 'fields' requires the reader to work a little harder to understand what is going on. That said, I recommend not getting carried away with defining complex exception hierarchies. Start with a simple <code>X::Class->caught</code> and subclass only as required by your application. 518228 518228