error handling layer implemented, header boilerplated for licensing info

include/error.hpp

@@ -1,10 +1,42 @@
+/**
+* @file error.hpp
+ * @brief Error handling system for the DPM utility
+ *
+ * Defines the error categories, error context structure, and utility
+ * functions for error handling throughout the DPM system. Provides a
+ * consistent approach to error reporting and management.
+ *
+ * @copyright Copyright (c) 2025 SILO GROUP LLC
+ * @author Chris Punches <chris.punches@silogroup.org>
+ *
+ * Part of the Dark Horse Linux Package Manager (DPM)
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ *
+ * For bug reports or contributions, please contact the dhlp-contributors
+ * mailing list at: https://lists.darkhorselinux.org/mailman/listinfo/dhlp-contributors
+ */
+
 #pragma once
+#include <iostream>
 
 // global errors for the core DPM routing/execution component
-enum class DPMError {
+enum class DPMErrorCategory {
     SUCCESS,
     PATH_NOT_FOUND,
     PATH_NOT_DIRECTORY,
+    PATH_TOO_LONG,
     PERMISSION_DENIED,
     MODULE_NOT_FOUND,
     MODULE_NOT_LOADED,
@@ -13,4 +45,18 @@ enum class DPMError {
     SYMBOL_NOT_FOUND,
     SYMBOL_EXECUTION_FAILED,
     UNDEFINED_ERROR
-};
+};
+
+// A generic context object that can hold any error-specific data
+// only DPMErrorCategory is required, all other fields are optional
+typedef struct {
+    DPMErrorCategory error;
+    const char * module_name;
+    const char * module_path;
+    const char * message;
+    // Add other potential fields as needed as all fields beyond error are optional
+} FlexDPMError;
+
+// shorthand for creating a FlexDPMError instance
+FlexDPMError make_error( DPMErrorCategory error_category );
+