Exception Handling in Java

The exception handling in java is one of the powerful mechanism to handle the runtime
errors so that normal flow of the application can be maintained.

In this page, we will learn about java exception, its type and the difference between checked
and unchecked exceptions.

What is exception
Dictionary Meaning: Exception is an abnormal condition.

In java, exception is an event that disrupts the normal flow of the program. It is an object
which is thrown at runtime.

What is exception handling

Exception Handling is a mechanism to handle runtime errors such as ClassNotFound, IO, SQL,
Remote etc.

Advantage of Exception Handling

The core advantage of exception handling is to maintain the normal flow of the
application. Exception normally disrupts the normal flow of the application that is why we
use exception handling. Let's take a scenario:

1. statement 1;
2. statement 2;
3. statement 3;
4. statement 4;
5. statement 5;//exception occurs
6. statement 6;
7. statement 7;
8. statement 8;
9. statement 9;
10. statement 10;

Suppose there is 10 statements in your program and there occurs an exception at statement
5, rest of the code will not be executed i.e. statement 6 to 10 will not run. If we perform
exception handling, rest of the statement will be executed. That is why we use exception
handling in java.

Hierarchy of Java Exception classes

Types of Exception
There are mainly two types of exceptions: checked and unchecked where error is considered
as unchecked exception. The sun microsystem says there are three types of exceptions:

1. Checked Exception

2. Unchecked Exception

3. Error
 Difference between checked and unchecked exceptions
1) Checked Exception
The classes that extend Throwable class except RuntimeException and Error are known as
checked exceptions e.g.IOException, SQLException etc. Checked exceptions are checked at
compile-time.

2) Unchecked Exception
The classes that extend RuntimeException are known as unchecked exceptions e.g.
ArithmeticException, NullPointerException, ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException etc. Unchecked
exceptions are not checked at compile-time rather they are checked at runtime.

3) Error
Error is irrecoverable e.g. OutOfMemoryError, VirtualMachineError, AssertionError etc.

Common scenarios where exceptions may occur

There are given some scenarios where unchecked exceptions can occur. They are as follows:

1) Scenario where ArithmeticException occurs

If we divide any number by zero, there occurs an ArithmeticException.

1. int a=50/0;//ArithmeticException

2) Scenario where NullPointerException occurs

If we have null value in any variable, performing any operation by the variable occurs an
NullPointerException.

1. String s=null;
2. System.out.println(s.length());//NullPointerException

3) Scenario where NumberFormatException occurs

 The wrong formatting of any value, may occur NumberFormatException. Suppose I have a
string variable that have characters, converting this variable into digit will occur
NumberFormatException.

1. String s="abc";
2. int i=Integer.parseInt(s);//NumberFormatException

4) Scenario where ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException occurs

If you are inserting any value in the wrong index, it would result
ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException as shown below:

1. int a[]=new int[5];

2. a[10]=50; //ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException

Java Exception Handling Keywords

There are 5 keywords used in java exception handling.

1. try

2. catch

3. finally

4. throw

5. throws

Java try-catch

Java try block

Java try block is used to enclose the code that might throw an exception. It must be used
within the method.

Java try block must be followed by either catch or finally block.

Syntax of java try-catch

1. try{
2. //code that may throw exception
3. }catch(Exception_class_Name ref){}
Syntax of try-finally block
1. try{
2. //code that may throw exception
3. }finally{}

Java catch block

Java catch block is used to handle the Exception. It must be used after the try block only.

You can use multiple catch block with a single try.

Problem without exception handling

Let's try to understand the problem if we don't use try-catch block.

1. public class Testtrycatch1{

2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. int data=50/0;//may throw exception
4. System.out.println("rest of the code...");
5. }
6. }

Output:

Exception in thread main java.lang.ArithmeticException:/ by zero

As displayed in the above example, rest of the code is not executed (in such case, rest of the
code... statement is not printed).

There can be 100 lines of code after exception. So all the code after exception will not be
executed.

Solution by exception handling

Let's see the solution of above problem by java try-catch block.
1. public class Testtrycatch2{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. try{
4. int data=50/0;
5. }catch(ArithmeticException e){System.out.println(e);}
6. System.out.println("rest of the code...");
7. }
8. }

Output:

Exception in thread main java.lang.ArithmeticException:/ by zero

rest of the code...

Now, as displayed in the above example, rest of the code is executed i.e. rest of the code...
statement is printed.

Internal working of java try-catch block

The JVM firstly checks whether the exception is handled or not. If exception is not handled,
JVM provides a default exception handler that performs the following tasks:

o Prints out exception description.

o Prints the stack trace (Hierarchy of methods where the exception occurred).

o Causes the program to terminate.

But if exception is handled by the application programmer, normal flow of the application is
maintained i.e. rest of the code is executed.

Java catch multiple exceptions

Java Multi catch block

 If you have to perform different tasks at the occurrence of different Exceptions, use java multi
catch block.

Let's see a simple example of java multi-catch block.

1. public class TestMultipleCatchBlock{

2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. try{
4. int a[]=new int[5];
5. a[5]=30/0;
6. }
7. catch(ArithmeticException e){System.out.println("task1 is completed");}
8. catch(ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException e){System.out.println("task 2 completed");}
9. catch(Exception e){System.out.println("common task completed");}
10.
11. System.out.println("rest of the code...");
12. }
13. }
Output:task1 completed
rest of the code...

Rule: At a time only one Exception is occured and at a time only one catch block is executed.
Rule: All catch blocks must be ordered from most specific to most general i.e. catch for
ArithmeticException must come before catch for Exception .

1. class TestMultipleCatchBlock1{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. try{
4. int a[]=new int[5];
5. a[5]=30/0;
6. }
7. catch(Exception e){System.out.println("common task completed");}
8. catch(ArithmeticException e){System.out.println("task1 is completed");}
9. catch(ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException e){System.out.println("task 2 completed");}
10. System.out.println("rest of the code...");
11. }
12. }

Output:

Compile-time error
 Java Nested try block
The try block within a try block is known as nested try block in java.

Why use nested try block

Sometimes a situation may arise where a part of a block may cause one error and the entire
block itself may cause another error. In such cases, exception handlers have to be nested.

Syntax:

1. ....
2. try
3. {
4. statement 1;
5. statement 2;
6. try
7. {
8. statement 1;
9. statement 2;
10. }
11. catch(Exception e)
12. {
13. }
14. }
15. catch(Exception e)
16. {
17. }
18. ....

Java nested try example

Let's see a simple example of java nested try block.

1. class Excep6{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. try{
4. try{
5. System.out.println("going to divide");
6. int b =39/0;
7. }catch(ArithmeticException e){System.out.println(e);}
8.
9. try{
10. int a[]=new int[5];
11. a[5]=4;
12. }catch(ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException e){System.out.println(e);}
13.
14. System.out.println("other statement);
15. }catch(Exception e){System.out.println("handeled");}
16.
17. System.out.println("normal flow..");
18. }
19. }

Java finally block

Java finally block is a block that is used to execute important code such as closing
connection, stream etc.

Java finally block is always executed whether exception is handled or not.

Java finally block follows try or catch block.

Note: If you don't handle exception, before terminating the program, JVM executes finally block(if any).

Why use java finally

o Finally block in java can be used to put "cleanup" code such as closing a file, closing
connection etc.

Usage of Java finally

 Let's see the different cases where java finally block can be used.

Case 1
Let's see the java finally example where exception doesn't occur.

1. class TestFinallyBlock{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. try{
4. int data=25/5;
5. System.out.println(data);
6. }
7. catch(NullPointerException e){System.out.println(e);}
8. finally{System.out.println("finally block is always executed");}
9. System.out.println("rest of the code...");
10. }
11. }

Output:5
finally block is always executed
rest of the code...

Case 2
Let's see the java finally example where exception occurs and not handled.

1. class TestFinallyBlock1{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. try{
4. int data=25/0;
5. System.out.println(data);
6. }
7. catch(NullPointerException e){System.out.println(e);}
8. finally{System.out.println("finally block is always executed");}
9. System.out.println("rest of the code...");
10. }
11. }

Output:finally block is always executed

Exception in thread main java.lang.ArithmeticException:/ by zero
 Case 3
Let's see the java finally example where exception occurs and handled.

1. public class TestFinallyBlock2{

2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. try{
4. int data=25/0;
5. System.out.println(data);
6. }
7. catch(ArithmeticException e){System.out.println(e);}
8. finally{System.out.println("finally block is always executed");}
9. System.out.println("rest of the code...");
10. }
11. }

Output:Exception in thread main java.lang.ArithmeticException:/ by zero

finally block is always executed
rest of the code...

Rule: For each try block there can be zero or more catch blocks, but only one finally block.
Note: The finally block will not be executed if program exits(either by calling System.exit() or by causing
a fatal error that causes the process to abort).

Java throw keyword

The Java throw keyword is used to explicitly throw an exception.

We can throw either checked or uncheked exception in java by throw keyword. The throw
keyword is mainly used to throw custom exception. We will see custom exceptions later.

The syntax of java throw keyword is given below.

1. throw exception;

Let's see the example of throw IOException.

1. throw new IOException("sorry device error);

 java throw keyword example
In this example, we have created the validate method that takes integer value as a parameter.
If the age is less than 18, we are throwing the ArithmeticException otherwise print a message
welcome to vote.

1. public class TestThrow1{

2. static void validate(int age){
3. if(age<18)
4. throw new ArithmeticException("not valid");
5. else
6. System.out.println("welcome to vote");
7. }
8. public static void main(String args[]){
9. validate(13);
10. System.out.println("rest of the code...");
11. }
12. }
Output:
Exception in thread main java.lang.ArithmeticException:not valid

Java Exception propagation

An exception is first thrown from the top of the stack and if it is not caught, it drops down
the call stack to the previous method,If not caught there, the exception again drops down
to the previous method, and so on until they are caught or until they reach the very
bottom of the call stack.This is called exception propagation.

Rule: By default Unchecked Exceptions are forwarded in calling chain (propagated).

Program of Exception Propagation

1. class TestExceptionPropagation1{
2. void m(){
3. int data=50/0;
4. }
5. void n(){
6. m();
7. }
8. void p(){
9. try{
10. n();
11. }catch(Exception e){System.out.println("exception handled");}
12. }
13. public static void main(String args[]){
14. TestExceptionPropagation1 obj=new TestExceptionPropagation1();
15. obj.p();
16. System.out.println("normal flow...");
17. }
18. }
Output:exception handled
normal flow...

In the above example exception occurs in m() method where it is not handled,so it is
propagated to previous n() method where it is not handled, again it is propagated to p()
method where exception is handled.

Exception can be handled in any method in call stack either in main() method,p() method,n()
method or m() method.

Rule: By default, Checked Exceptions are not forwarded in calling chain (propagated).

Program which describes that checked exceptions are not propagated

1. class TestExceptionPropagation2{
2. void m(){
3. throw new java.io.IOException("device error");//checked exception
4. }
5. void n(){
6. m();
7. }
8. void p(){
9. try{
10. n();
11. }catch(Exception e){System.out.println("exception handeled");}
12. }
13. public static void main(String args[]){
14. TestExceptionPropagation2 obj=new TestExceptionPropagation2();
15. obj.p();
16. System.out.println("normal flow");
17. }
18. }

Output:Compile Time Error

Java throws keyword

The Java throws keyword is used to declare an exception. It gives an information to the
programmer that there may occur an exception so it is better for the programmer to provide
the exception handling code so that normal flow can be maintained.

Exception Handling is mainly used to handle the checked exceptions. If there occurs any
unchecked exception such as NullPointerException, it is programmers fault that he is not
performing check up before the code being used.

Syntax of java throws

1. return_type method_name() throws exception_class_name{

2. //method code
3. }

Which exception should be declared

Ans) checked exception only, because:
 o unchecked Exception: under your control so correct your code.

o error: beyond your control e.g. you are unable to do anything if there occurs
VirtualMachineError or StackOverflowError.

Advantage of Java throws keyword

Now Checked Exception can be propagated (forwarded in call stack).

It provides information to the caller of the method about the exception.

Java throws example

Let's see the example of java throws clause which describes that checked exceptions can be
propagated by throws keyword.

1. import java.io.IOException;
2. class Testthrows1{
3. void m()throws IOException{
4. throw new IOException("device error");//checked exception
5. }
6. void n()throws IOException{
7. m();
8. }
9. void p(){
10. try{
11. n();
12. }catch(Exception e){System.out.println("exception handled");}
13. }
14. public static void main(String args[]){
15. Testthrows1 obj=new Testthrows1();
16. obj.p();
17. System.out.println("normal flow...");
18. }
19. }
 Output:

exception handled
normal flow...

Rule: If you are calling a method that declares an exception, you must either caught or declare
the exception.

There are two cases:

1. Case1:You caught the exception i.e. handle the exception using try/catch.

2. Case2:You declare the exception i.e. specifying throws with the method.

Case1: You handle the exception

o In case you handle the exception, the code will be executed fine whether exception
occurs during the program or not.

1. import java.io.*;
2. class M{
3. void method()throws IOException{
4. throw new IOException("device error");
5. }
6. }
7. public class Testthrows2{
8. public static void main(String args[]){
9. try{
10. M m=new M();
11. m.method();
12. }catch(Exception e){System.out.println("exception handled");}
13.
14. System.out.println("normal flow...");
15. }
16. }

Output:exception handled
normal flow...
 Case2: You declare the exception

o A)In case you declare the exception, if exception does not occur, the code will be
executed fine.

o B)In case you declare the exception if exception occures, an exception will be thrown
at runtime because throws does not handle the exception.

A)Program if exception does not occur

1. import java.io.*;
2. class M{
3. void method()throws IOException{
4. System.out.println("device operation performed");
5. }
6. }
7. class Testthrows3{
8. public static void main(String args[])throws IOException{//declare exception
9. M m=new M();
10. m.method();
11.
12. System.out.println("normal flow...");
13. }
14. }

Output:device operation performed

normal flow...

B)Program if exception occurs

1. import java.io.*;
2. class M{
3. void method()throws IOException{
4. throw new IOException("device error");
5. }
6. }
7. class Testthrows4{
8. public static void main(String args[])throws IOException{//declare exception
9. M m=new M();
10. m.method();
11.
12. System.out.println("normal flow...");
13. }
14. }
Output:Runtime Exception

Que) Can we rethrow an exception?

Yes, by throwing same exception in catch block.

Difference between throw and throws in Java

There are many differences between throw and throws keywords. A list of differences between
throw and throws are given below:

No. throw throws

1) Java throw keyword is used to explicitly Java throws keyword is used to declare an
throw an exception. exception.

2) Checked exception cannot be propagated Checked exception can be propagated with

using throw only. throws.

3) Throw is followed by an instance. Throws is followed by class.

4) Throw is used within the method. Throws is used with the method signature.

5) You cannot throw multiple exceptions. You can declare multiple exceptions e.g.
public void method()throws
IOException,SQLException.

Java throw example

1. void m(){
2. throw new ArithmeticException("sorry");
3. }

Java throws example

1. void m()throws ArithmeticException{
2. //method code
3. }

Java throw and throws example

1. void m()throws ArithmeticException{
2. throw new ArithmeticException("sorry");
3. }

Difference between final, finally and finalize

There are many differences between final, finally and finalize. A list of differences between
final, finally and finalize are given below:

No. final finally finalize

1) Final is used to apply restrictions on Finally is used to place Finalize is used to

class, method and variable. Final important code, it will perform clean up
class can't be inherited, final be executed whether processing just before
method can't be overridden and exception is handled or object is garbage
final variable value can't be not. collected.
changed.

2) Final is a keyword. Finally is a block. Finalize is a method.

Java final example

1. class FinalExample{
2. public static void main(String[] args){
3. final int x=100;
4. x=200;//Compile Time Error
5. }}

Java finally example

1. class FinallyExample{
2. public static void main(String[] args){
3. try{
4. int x=300;
5. }catch(Exception e){System.out.println(e);}
6. finally{System.out.println("finally block is executed");}
7. }}

Java finalize example

1. class FinalizeExample{
2. public void finalize(){System.out.println("finalize called");}
3. public static void main(String[] args){
4. FinalizeExample f1=new FinalizeExample();
5. FinalizeExample f2=new FinalizeExample();
6. f1=null;
7. f2=null;
8. System.gc();
9. }}

ExceptionHandling with MethodOverriding in

Java
There are many rules if we talk about methodoverriding with exception handling. The
Rules are as follows:

o If the superclass method does not declare an exception

o If the superclass method does not declare an exception, subclass

overridden method cannot declare the checked exception but it can declare
unchecked exception.

o If the superclass method declares an exception

o If the superclass method declares an exception, subclass overridden

method can declare same, subclass exception or no exception but cannot
declare parent exception.

If the superclass method does not declare an exception

 1) Rule: If the superclass method does not declare an exception, subclass overridden method cannot
declare the checked exception.

1. import java.io.*;
2. class Parent{
3. void msg(){System.out.println("parent");}
4. }
5.
6. class TestExceptionChild extends Parent{
7. void msg()throws IOException{
8. System.out.println("TestExceptionChild");
9. }
10. public static void main(String args[]){
11. Parent p=new TestExceptionChild();
12. p.msg();
13. }
14. }
Output:Compile Time Error

2) Rule: If the superclass method does not declare an exception, subclass overridden method cannot
declare the checked exception but can declare unchecked exception.

1. import java.io.*;
2. class Parent{
3. void msg(){System.out.println("parent");}
4. }
5.
6. class TestExceptionChild1 extends Parent{
7. void msg()throws ArithmeticException{
8. System.out.println("child");
9. }
10. public static void main(String args[]){
11. Parent p=new TestExceptionChild1();
12. p.msg();
13. }
14. }
Output:child
 If the superclass method declares an exception

1) Rule: If the superclass method declares an exception, subclass overridden method can declare
same, subclass exception or no exception but cannot declare parent exception.

Example in case subclass overridden method declares parent

exception

1. import java.io.*;
2. class Parent{
3. void msg()throws ArithmeticException{System.out.println("parent");}
4. }
5.
6. class TestExceptionChild2 extends Parent{
7. void msg()throws Exception{System.out.println("child");}
8.
9. public static void main(String args[]){
10. Parent p=new TestExceptionChild2();
11. try{
12. p.msg();
13. }catch(Exception e){}
14. }
15. }
Output:Compile Time Error

Example in case subclass overridden method declares same

exception

1. import java.io.*;
2. class Parent{
3. void msg()throws Exception{System.out.println("parent");}
4. }
5.
6. class TestExceptionChild3 extends Parent{
7. void msg()throws Exception{System.out.println("child");}
8.
9. public static void main(String args[]){
10. Parent p=new TestExceptionChild3();
11. try{
12. p.msg();
13. }catch(Exception e){}
14. }
15. }
Output:child

Example in case subclass overridden method declares subclass

exception

1. import java.io.*;
2. class Parent{
3. void msg()throws Exception{System.out.println("parent");}
4. }
5.
6. class TestExceptionChild4 extends Parent{
7. void msg()throws ArithmeticException{System.out.println("child");}
8.
9. public static void main(String args[]){
10. Parent p=new TestExceptionChild4();
11. try{
12. p.msg();
13. }catch(Exception e){}
14. }
15. }
Output:child

Example in case subclass overridden method declares no

exception

1. import java.io.*;
2. class Parent{
3. void msg()throws Exception{System.out.println("parent");}
4. }
5.
6. class TestExceptionChild5 extends Parent{
7. void msg(){System.out.println("child");}
8.
9. public static void main(String args[]){
10. Parent p=new TestExceptionChild5();
11. try{
12. p.msg();
13. }catch(Exception e){}
14. }
15. }
Output:child

Java Custom Exception

If you are creating your own Exception that is known as custom exception or user-defined
exception. Java custom exceptions are used to customize the exception according to user
need.

By the help of custom exception, you can have your own exception and message.

Let's see a simple example of java custom exception.

1. class InvalidAgeException extends Exception{

2. InvalidAgeException(String s){
3. super(s);
4. }
5. }
1. class TestCustomException1{
2.
3. static void validate(int age)throws InvalidAgeException{
4. if(age<18)
5. throw new InvalidAgeException("not valid");
6. else
7. System.out.println("welcome to vote");
8. }
9.
10. public static void main(String args[]){
11. try{
12. validate(13);
13. }catch(Exception m){System.out.println("Exception occured: "+m);}
14.
15. System.out.println("rest of the code...");
16. }
17. }
Output:Exception occured: InvalidAgeException:not valid
rest of the code...