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Purpose of Exception Handling in Java

The document explains the purpose of exception handling in Java, which includes managing runtime errors, separating error-handling code, maintaining program flow, and improving debugging. It distinguishes between checked exceptions, which are enforced at compile-time, and unchecked exceptions, which are not. Additionally, it clarifies the difference between the 'throw' keyword, used to explicitly throw exceptions, and the 'throws' keyword, used in method signatures to declare potential exceptions.

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7 views

Purpose of Exception Handling in Java

The document explains the purpose of exception handling in Java, which includes managing runtime errors, separating error-handling code, maintaining program flow, and improving debugging. It distinguishes between checked exceptions, which are enforced at compile-time, and unchecked exceptions, which are not. Additionally, it clarifies the difference between the 'throw' keyword, used to explicitly throw exceptions, and the 'throws' keyword, used in method signatures to declare potential exceptions.

Uploaded by

galandedikasha03
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Purpose of Exception Handling in Java:

The purpose of exception handling in Java is to manage runtime errors and to ensure that the
program continues to run smoothly, even in the presence of unexpected situations. It helps in:

1. Graceful Handling of Errors: Exception handling allows developers to handle errors in a


controlled way, without crashing the program.

2. Separation of Error-Handling Code: By separating error-handling code from the main logic,
the code becomes cleaner and easier to understand.

3. Maintaining Program Flow: With exceptions, programs can react to errors, take corrective
actions, or even recover from them without terminating the entire application.

4. Improved Debugging: Exception handling provides meaningful error messages that help
developers understand the nature of the error, making debugging easier.

Difference Between Checked and Unchecked Exceptions:

1. Checked Exceptions:

o Definition: Checked exceptions are exceptions that are checked at compile-time. The
compiler ensures that these exceptions are either handled (using a try-catch block)
or declared (using the throws keyword).

o Examples: IOException, SQLException, ClassNotFoundException.

o Handling: These exceptions must either be caught or declared in the method


signature. If not, the program will not compile.

o Use case: They are usually associated with external resources like file operations,
database interactions, etc.

2. Unchecked Exceptions:

• Definition: Unchecked exceptions are exceptions that are not checked at compile-time. They
are typically runtime exceptions and do not require explicit handling.

• Examples: NullPointerException, ArithmeticException, ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException.

• Handling: These exceptions can be caught but are not required to be. The compiler does not
enforce handling them.

• Use case: Unchecked exceptions generally reflect programming errors, such as logic mistakes
or invalid operations.
Difference Between throw and throws in Exception Handling:

1. throw:

o Definition: The throw keyword is used to explicitly throw an exception in the code. It
is followed by an instance of an exception.

o Usage: Typically used within a method to throw an exception when a certain


condition is met.

o Example:

public void checkAge(int age) {

if (age < 18) {

throw new IllegalArgumentException("Age must be 18 or older.");

o Explanation:

The throw keyword throws an instance of an exception (in this case,


IllegalArgumentException).

2. throws:

• Definition: The throws keyword is used in a method signature to declare that a method can
throw one or more exceptions. It informs the calling method that it needs to handle or
declare the thrown exception.

• Usage: It is used to declare checked exceptions that a method might throw but does not
handle itself.

• Example:

public void readFile(String fileName) throws IOException {

FileReader file = new FileReader(fileName);

BufferedReader fileInput = new BufferedReader(file);

throw new IOException("File not found.");

• Explanation: The throws keyword declares that the readFile method might throw an
IOException, and the caller must handle it.

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