What is Difference Between Exception And Errors

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Errors are usually compile time and exceptions can be runtime or checked.

In Java, both exceptions and errors are types of throwable objects, but they serve different purposes and are used in different contexts. Here are the main differences between exceptions and errors:

  1. Nature of the Problem:
    • Exception: Exceptions are abnormal conditions that occur during the execution of a program. They are often caused by the application’s code and can be handled by the program to prevent termination.
    • Error: Errors, on the other hand, are abnormal conditions that occur at runtime due to some critical problem that typically cannot be handled by the application itself. Errors are usually caused by external factors such as system failures or resource exhaustion.
  2. Handling:
    • Exception: Exceptions can be caught and handled by the application. Java provides a mechanism for handling exceptions using try, catch, and finally blocks.
    • Error: Errors are typically not recoverable by the application, and there is usually no need for the program to handle them explicitly. Errors often indicate severe problems that might require intervention at the system level.
  3. Examples:
    • Exception: Examples of exceptions include NullPointerException, ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException, and FileNotFoundException.
    • Error: Examples of errors include OutOfMemoryError, StackOverflowError, and VirtualMachineError.
  4. Usage:
    • Exception: Exceptions are used to handle runtime errors that may occur in a program, and they are meant to be caught and handled by the application.
    • Error: Errors are typically not caught or handled by the application but are meant to signal severe problems that may require intervention at a higher level (e.g., restarting the application or the entire system).

In summary, exceptions are meant to be caught and handled by the application, while errors indicate more severe problems that are typically beyond the control of the application and may lead to program termination.