diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 40f2beb..69daa60 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -3,10 +3,25 @@ import tkinter as tk
 from tkinter import ttk
 import sys, os, json, traceback
 
-def warn(text):
-    print("WARNING: "+str(text), file=sys.stderr)
+################################################################################
+# DEFINITIONS
+################################################################################
+
+EXIT_SUCCESS=0
+EXIT_ERROR=1
+
+def warn(message):
+    print("WARNING: "+str(message), file=sys.stderr)
     traceback.print_stack()
 
+def error(message, handle_gracefully=True):
+    print("ERROR: "+str(message), file=sys.stderr)
+    traceback.print_stack()
+    if handle_gracefully:
+        pass
+    else:
+        sys.exit(EXIT_ERROR)
+
 # easy way to get data out of window events
 class Window_Interaction_Handler:
     # constructor
@@ -57,10 +72,14 @@ class Window_Interaction_Handler:
         if len(self.__window_interactions)>0:
             warn("__window_interactions not empty upon destruction of Window_Interaction_Handler:\n"+str(self.__window_interactions))
 
+################################################################################
+# PROGRAM START
+################################################################################
 
 # read configuration
 home_directory = os.path.expanduser("~")
 config_file_path = os.path.join(home_directory, "some_ide_config.json")
+# default configuration
 configuration = {}
 if os.path.isfile(config_file_path):
     try:
@@ -88,7 +107,7 @@ else:
         warn("Not implemented!")
     else:
         print("No config present and user chose not to create one. Exiting.")
-        sys.exit()
+        sys.exit(EXIT_SUCCESS)
 
 #window = tk.Tk()
 #frame = ttk.Frame(window, padding=10)