Exception handling is a crucial aspect of writing robust C++ programs. It allows developers to manage and respond to runtime errors gracefully. In this guide, we'll explore how to throw exceptions in C++.
Throwing an exception is the process of signaling that an error or exceptional condition has occurred in your program. It's a way to interrupt the normal flow of execution and transfer control to an error-handling routine.
To throw an exception in C++, you use the throw
keyword followed by an expression. This expression can be of any type, but it's common to use objects of exception classes.
throw exception_object;
#include <stdexcept>
void divide(int a, int b) {
if (b == 0) {
throw std::runtime_error("Division by zero!");
}
// Perform division
}
class CustomException : public std::exception {
public:
const char* what() const noexcept override {
return "A custom exception occurred";
}
};
void riskyFunction() {
// Some code that might cause an error
throw CustomException();
}
std::exception
for custom exceptions.C++98 introduced exception specifications, but they were deprecated in C++11 and removed in C++17. Instead, use noexcept
to indicate functions that don't throw exceptions.
void safeFunction() noexcept {
// This function guarantees it won't throw exceptions
}
To fully understand exception handling in C++, you should also be familiar with:
Throwing exceptions is a powerful mechanism for error handling in C++. When used judiciously, it can significantly improve the robustness and reliability of your code. Remember to balance exception usage with performance considerations and always strive for exception-safe code.