diff --git a/src/ctbin/main.cpp b/src/ctbin/main.cpp
index 89b3418..988183d 100644
--- a/src/ctbin/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctbin/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctbin.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctbin application. It allocates a
  * ctbin object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -51,41 +51,26 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
     // Initialise pointer on application
     ctbin* application = NULL;
 
-    // Execute application
+    // Try creating an instance of the application and executing the instance
     try {
 
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctbin(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctbin. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctbin", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctbkgcube/main.cpp b/src/ctbkgcube/main.cpp
index bd1e749..63a774a 100644
--- a/src/ctbkgcube/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctbkgcube/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctbkgcube.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctbkgcube application. It allocates a
  * ctbkgcube object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctbkgcube(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctbkgcube. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctbkgcube", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctbutterfly/main.cpp b/src/ctbutterfly/main.cpp
index 803ffd5..9a5b9f0 100644
--- a/src/ctbutterfly/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctbutterfly/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctbutterfly.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctbutterfly application. It allocates
  * a ctbutterfly object and executes the application. Any exceptions that
  * occur will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctbutterfly(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctbutterfly. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctbutterfly", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctcubemask/main.cpp b/src/ctcubemask/main.cpp
index a265732..ed41afe 100644
--- a/src/ctcubemask/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctcubemask/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctcubemask.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctcubemask application. It allocates
  * a ctcubemask object and executes the application. Any exceptions that
  * occur will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctcubemask(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctcubemask. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctcubemask", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctedispcube/main.cpp b/src/ctedispcube/main.cpp
index fab8d44..fb1ede5 100644
--- a/src/ctedispcube/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctedispcube/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctedispcube.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctedispcube application. It allocates
  * a ctedispcube object and executes the application. Any exceptions that
  * occur will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctedispcube(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctedispcube. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctedispcube", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/cterror/main.cpp b/src/cterror/main.cpp
index a9246f8..652b0db 100644
--- a/src/cterror/main.cpp
+++ b/src/cterror/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <iostream>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "cterror.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the cterror application. It allocates a
  * cterror object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new cterror(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "cterror. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("cterror", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctexpcube/main.cpp b/src/ctexpcube/main.cpp
index 58f7d8a..a4784d1 100644
--- a/src/ctexpcube/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctexpcube/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctexpcube.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctexpcube application. It allocates a
  * ctexpcube object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -60,32 +60,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Execute application
         application->execute();
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctexpcube. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctexpcube", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctlike/main.cpp b/src/ctlike/main.cpp
index 22c7375..bffbfca 100644
--- a/src/ctlike/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctlike/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctlike.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctlike application. It allocates a
  * ctlike object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctlike(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctlike. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctlike", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctmapcube/main.cpp b/src/ctmapcube/main.cpp
index f5b03f3..a29a944 100644
--- a/src/ctmapcube/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctmapcube/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctmapcube.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctmapcube application. It allocates a
  * ctmapcube object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctmapcube(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctmapcube. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctmapcube", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctmodel/main.cpp b/src/ctmodel/main.cpp
index 9e929cc..e2f5ea0 100644
--- a/src/ctmodel/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctmodel/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctmodel.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctmodel application. It allocates a
  * ctmodel object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,34 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctmodel(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
+
     catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctmodel. Run aborted ...";
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctmodel", e.what());
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctobssim/main.cpp b/src/ctobssim/main.cpp
index 0ed8426..5de449f 100644
--- a/src/ctobssim/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctobssim/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctobssim.hpp"
 
 
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctobssim(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctobssim. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctobssim", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctpsfcube/main.cpp b/src/ctpsfcube/main.cpp
index 5dd9836..1ed78be 100644
--- a/src/ctpsfcube/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctpsfcube/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctpsfcube.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctpsfcube application. It allocates a
  * ctpsfcube object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctpsfcube(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctpsfcube. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctpsfcube", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctselect/main.cpp b/src/ctselect/main.cpp
index 9b0170e..039e0a3 100644
--- a/src/ctselect/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctselect/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctselect.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctselect application. It allocates a
  * ctselect object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctselect(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctselect. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctselect", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctskymap/main.cpp b/src/ctskymap/main.cpp
index 09a1516..1fd3e40 100644
--- a/src/ctskymap/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctskymap/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctskymap.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the ctskymap application. It allocates a
  * ctskymap object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctskymap(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctskymap. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctskymap", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/cttsmap/main.cpp b/src/cttsmap/main.cpp
index 5dad9ec..51abec2 100644
--- a/src/cttsmap/main.cpp
+++ b/src/cttsmap/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "cttsmap.hpp"
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  * This is the main entry point of the cttsmap application. It allocates a
  * cttsmap object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
  * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
- * application logger and on the standard output.
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -57,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new cttsmap(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "cttsmap. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("cttsmap", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/ctulimit/main.cpp b/src/ctulimit/main.cpp
index 3a33aa2..7a8691e 100644
--- a/src/ctulimit/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ctulimit/main.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include <config.h>
 #endif
-#include <cstdio>
+#include "support.hpp"
 #include "ctulimit.hpp"
 
 
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@
  * @param[in] argv Command line arguments.
  *
  * This is the main entry point of the ctulimit application. It allocates a
- * ctupperlimit object and runs the application.
+ * ctulimit object and executes the application. Any exceptions that occur
+ * will be catched and corresponding error messages written in the
+ * application logger and into the standard output.
  ***************************************************************************/
 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
@@ -55,35 +57,20 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         // Create instance of application
         application = new ctulimit(argc, argv);
 
-        // Execute application
-        application->execute();
+        // Execute ctool
+        rc = execute_ctool(application);
 
-        // Delete application
-        delete application;
-
-        // Signal success
-        rc = 0;
     }
-    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // Extract error message
-        std::string message = e.what();
-        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "
-                              "ctulimit. Run aborted ...";
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
 
-        // If application exists then write error in logger and delete
-        // application
-        if (application != NULL) {
-            application->log << signal  << std::endl;
-            application->log << message << std::endl;
-            delete application;
-        }
+        // Report exception
+        report_ctool_failure("ctulimit", e.what());
 
-        // Write error on standard output
-        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
-        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+    }
 
-    } // endcatch: catched any application error
+    // Delete application
+    delete application;
 
     // Return
     return rc;
diff --git a/src/support/Makefile.am b/src/support/Makefile.am
index b6d8bda..aa54ad8 100644
--- a/src/support/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/support/Makefile.am
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@
 #############################################################################
 
 # Define sources for this directory
-sources = ctool.cpp ctool.hpp \
+sources = support.cpp support.hpp \
+          ctool.cpp ctool.hpp \
           ctobservation.cpp ctobservation.hpp \
           ctlikelihood.cpp ctlikelihood.hpp
 
diff --git a/src/support/support.cpp b/src/support/support.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9e11dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/support/support.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+/***************************************************************************
+ *                      support - support functions                        *
+ * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *
+ *  copyright (C) 2016 by Juergen Knoedlseder                              *
+ * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *
+ *                                                                         *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify   *
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU 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 General Public License for more details.                           *
+ *                                                                         *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License      *
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.  *
+ *                                                                         *
+ ***************************************************************************/
+/**
+ * @file support
+ * @brief Support function implementation
+ * @author Juergen Knoedlseder
+ */
+
+/* __ Includes ___________________________________________________________ */
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+#include <config.h>
+#endif
+//#include <cstdlib>         // std::getenv() function
+//#include <cstdio>          // std::fopen(), etc. functions
+#include "GammaLib.hpp"
+#include "GCTALib.hpp"
+#include "support.hpp"
+//#include "GTools.hpp"
+
+/* __ Method name definitions ____________________________________________ */
+
+/* __ Debug definitions __________________________________________________ */
+
+/* __ Coding definitions _________________________________________________ */
+
+
+/*==========================================================================
+ =                                                                         =
+ =                            Support functions                            =
+ =                                                                         =
+ ==========================================================================*/
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Execute ctool
+ *
+ * @param[in] tool Pointer to ctool.
+ * @return Return code
+ *
+ * Executes a ctool. The execution is enclosed in a try-catch statement so
+ * that any exceptions that occur during execution will be properly logged
+ * and written into the standard output.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+int execute_ctool(ctool* tool)
+{
+    // Initialise return code
+    int rc = 1;
+
+    // Try executing tool. This catches any exceptions that occur during
+    // the execution.
+    try {
+
+        // Execute ctool
+        tool->execute();
+
+        // Signal success
+        rc = 0;
+
+    } // endtry
+
+    // Handle any exceptions that have occured
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
+
+        // Extract error message
+        std::string message = e.what();
+        std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "+
+                              tool->name()+". Run aborted ...";
+
+        // Write error in logger
+        tool->log << signal  << std::endl;
+        tool->log << message << std::endl;
+
+        // Write error in standard output
+        std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
+        std::cout << message << std::endl;
+
+    } // endcatch: catched any exception
+
+    // Return return code
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Report ctool failure
+ *
+ * @param[in] name Name of ctool.
+ * @param[in] message Exception message.
+ *
+ * Reports a ctools failure.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void report_ctool_failure(const std::string& name, const std::string& message)
+{
+    // Set signal string
+    std::string signal  = "*** ERROR encounterted in the execution of "+
+                          name+". Run aborted ...";
+
+    // Write error in standard output
+    std::cout << signal  << std::endl;
+    std::cout << message << std::endl;
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
diff --git a/src/support/support.hpp b/src/support/support.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0dec9b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/support/support.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/***************************************************************************
+ *                      support - support functions                        *
+ * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *
+ *  copyright (C) 2016 by Juergen Knoedlseder                              *
+ * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *
+ *                                                                         *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify   *
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU 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 General Public License for more details.                           *
+ *                                                                         *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License      *
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.  *
+ *                                                                         *
+ ***************************************************************************/
+/**
+ * @file support
+ * @brief Support function definitions
+ * @author Juergen Knoedlseder
+ */
+
+#ifndef SUPPORT_HPP
+#define SUPPORT_HPP
+
+/* __ Includes ___________________________________________________________ */
+#include "ctool.hpp"
+
+/* __ Definitions ________________________________________________________ */
+
+/* __ Prototypes _________________________________________________________ */
+int  execute_ctool(ctool* tool);
+void report_ctool_failure(const std::string& name, const std::string& message);
+
+#endif /* SUPPORT_HPP */
diff --git a/test/test_ctbin.py b/test/test_ctbin.py
index 68d1425..352b1e9 100755
--- a/test/test_ctbin.py
+++ b/test/test_ctbin.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class Test(test):
              'Self test of test script')
 
         # Check if execution was successful
-        self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) == 0,
+        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
              'Check successful execution from command line')
 
         # Load counts cube and check content.
@@ -107,13 +107,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctbkgcube.py b/test/test_ctbkgcube.py
index 4b43888..b12cb76 100755
--- a/test/test_ctbkgcube.py
+++ b/test/test_ctbkgcube.py
@@ -110,13 +110,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctbutterfly.py b/test/test_ctbutterfly.py
index 2bd641f..ba7fe16 100755
--- a/test/test_ctbutterfly.py
+++ b/test/test_ctbutterfly.py
@@ -102,13 +102,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctcubemask.py b/test/test_ctcubemask.py
index 9ffbc17..149f800 100755
--- a/test/test_ctcubemask.py
+++ b/test/test_ctcubemask.py
@@ -105,13 +105,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctedispcube.py b/test/test_ctedispcube.py
index 4b0e90c..05a8889 100755
--- a/test/test_ctedispcube.py
+++ b/test/test_ctedispcube.py
@@ -108,13 +108,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_cterror.py b/test/test_cterror.py
index d427962..3490595 100755
--- a/test/test_cterror.py
+++ b/test/test_cterror.py
@@ -100,13 +100,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctexpcube.py b/test/test_ctexpcube.py
index fda3b8e..9931c3f 100755
--- a/test/test_ctexpcube.py
+++ b/test/test_ctexpcube.py
@@ -106,13 +106,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctlike.py b/test/test_ctlike.py
index 29fbca2..f010031 100755
--- a/test/test_ctlike.py
+++ b/test/test_ctlike.py
@@ -100,13 +100,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctmapcube.py b/test/test_ctmapcube.py
index d2b078f..767b9b8 100644
--- a/test/test_ctmapcube.py
+++ b/test/test_ctmapcube.py
@@ -106,13 +106,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctmodel.py b/test/test_ctmodel.py
index 1415462..e58def8 100755
--- a/test/test_ctmodel.py
+++ b/test/test_ctmodel.py
@@ -110,13 +110,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctobssim.py b/test/test_ctobssim.py
index 79ee063..c6e18db 100755
--- a/test/test_ctobssim.py
+++ b/test/test_ctobssim.py
@@ -108,13 +108,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctpsfcube.py b/test/test_ctpsfcube.py
index e8f0e98..534fe38 100755
--- a/test/test_ctpsfcube.py
+++ b/test/test_ctpsfcube.py
@@ -108,13 +108,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctselect.py b/test/test_ctselect.py
index b109c31..c70f51a 100755
--- a/test/test_ctselect.py
+++ b/test/test_ctselect.py
@@ -105,13 +105,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctskymap.py b/test/test_ctskymap.py
index d160b59..862bd34 100755
--- a/test/test_ctskymap.py
+++ b/test/test_ctskymap.py
@@ -102,13 +102,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_cttsmap.py b/test/test_cttsmap.py
index 5c860f1..0e2edea 100755
--- a/test/test_cttsmap.py
+++ b/test/test_cttsmap.py
@@ -104,13 +104,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return
diff --git a/test/test_ctulimit.py b/test/test_ctulimit.py
index 25ba38c..e9ccbe9 100755
--- a/test/test_ctulimit.py
+++ b/test/test_ctulimit.py
@@ -98,13 +98,11 @@ class Test(test):
         # Check if execution was successful in case that the CTOOLS
         # environment variable was set or failed otherwise
         if 'CTOOLS' in os.environ:
-            rc   = 0
-            what = 'success'
+            self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), 0,
+                 'Check successful execution with --help option')
         else:
-            rc   = 1
-            what = 'failure'
-        self.test_value(self._execute(cmd), rc,
-             'Check execution %s from command line with --help option' % what)
+            self.test_assert(self._execute(cmd) != 0,
+                 'Check execution failure with --help option')
 
         # Return
         return