What are alternatives to error handling in stored procedures?

-- Example of using return codes in a stored procedure
DELIMITER //
CREATE PROCEDURE example_procedure(IN param INT)
BEGIN
    DECLARE exit_code INT DEFAULT 0;

    -- Try block
    DECLARE CONTINUE HANDLER FOR SQLEXCEPTION
    BEGIN
        SET exit_code = 1; -- Set exit code to indicate an error
    END;

    -- Perform some operation
    INSERT INTO example_table (column_name) VALUES (param);

    -- Check exit code
    IF exit_code = 1 THEN
        SELECT 'Error occurred!' AS Result;
    ELSE
        SELECT 'Operation successful!' AS Result;
    END IF;
END //
DELIMITER ;