In the Java world, we're used to having a (sometimes long) list of exceptions specified, indicating which kinds of errors a method may report. I have some issues with the implementation of this in Java (more on this when I can be bothered to write a few pages), but at least the errors are part of the interface. This makes it possible to write correct code. Not so in Windows:
"The error codes returned by a function are not part of the Windows API specification and can vary by operating system or device driver. For this reason, we cannot provide the complete list of error codes that can be returned by each function. There are also many functions whose documentation does not include even a partial list of error codes that can be returned."
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms679360(VS.85).aspx
Avoid. Trust me.
@returns one of true, false, broadband
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