Custom exceptions in C++ allow developers to create specialized error-handling mechanisms tailored to their specific application needs. By extending the standard exception classes, you can provide more detailed and context-specific error information.
To create a custom exception in C++, you typically derive a new class from the standard std::exception
class or one of its derived classes. This approach ensures compatibility with existing exception-handling mechanisms.
#include <exception>
#include <string>
class CustomException : public std::exception {
private:
std::string message;
public:
explicit CustomException(const std::string& msg) : message(msg) {}
const char* what() const noexcept override {
return message.c_str();
}
};
In this example, we've created a CustomException
class that stores a custom error message and overrides the what()
function to return this message.
Once you've defined your custom exception class, you can throw and catch it just like any other exception in C++. Here's an example of how to use the CustomException
we created:
#include <iostream>
void riskyFunction(int value) {
if (value < 0) {
throw CustomException("Negative value not allowed");
}
// Process the value...
}
int main() {
try {
riskyFunction(-5);
} catch (const CustomException& e) {
std::cout << "Caught custom exception: " << e.what() << std::endl;
}
return 0;
}
This code demonstrates how to throw the custom exception and catch it in a try-catch block.
std::exception
or its subclasses for consistency.For larger projects, you might want to create a hierarchy of custom exceptions. This approach allows for more granular error handling and can make your code more maintainable.
class DatabaseException : public std::exception {
// ... implementation ...
};
class ConnectionException : public DatabaseException {
// ... implementation ...
};
class QueryException : public DatabaseException {
// ... implementation ...
};
With this hierarchy, you can catch specific types of database-related exceptions or handle them more generally.
While custom exceptions provide great flexibility in error handling, it's important to use them judiciously. Throwing and catching exceptions can have performance implications, especially in performance-critical code paths.
Remember: Exceptions should be used for exceptional circumstances, not for regular control flow.
For more information on exception handling in C++, you might want to explore throwing exceptions and exception specifications.
Custom exceptions in C++ provide a powerful mechanism for handling application-specific errors. By creating your own exception classes, you can enhance the error-handling capabilities of your C++ programs, making them more robust and easier to debug.