PHP simplexml_load_file() does this need a @ prefix
<p>I am working with a previous developers code and a lot of his code hide errors with the <code>@</code></p>

<p>One example being: </p>

<pre><code>if(!file_exists($filename)) 
    throw new Exception("file '$filename' does not exist.");

$xmlObject = @simplexml_load_file($filename);       
if($xmlObject === false) 
    throw new Exception("Could not load '$filename' check syntax and file has read permission.");
</code></pre>

<p>I understand that using the <code>@</code> hides errors but is this good practice or bad?</p>
