Question

What happens to an exception if you don't do anything special to handle it?

Short answer

An unhandled exception will cause the program to crash and display an error message.

Step-by-step solution

Define an Exception

An exception in programming is an unexpected event or error that occurs during the execution of a program. This could be due to invalid user input, a file that cannot be found, or any number of unforeseen issues.

Understand Unhandled Exceptions

If an exception is not handled, the program will follow its normal sequence of operations until it encounters the exception. At this point, the normal flow of the program is disrupted.

Program Crash

When an unhandled exception occurs, the program typically comes to an abrupt halt. This is often referred to as a 'crash' because the program stops running and may produce an error message.

Error Messages

In the case of an unhandled exception, an error message or traceback is usually displayed. This message provides details about what went wrong, which can be useful for debugging.

Key concepts

unhandled exceptions

In programming, an exception is an unexpected event that disrupts the normal flow of a program. These events can occur for various reasons like invalid user input, missing files, or logical errors. When such an event occurs and isn't properly dealt with, it's known as an 'unhandled exception'.
An unhandled exception interrupts the standard execution of a program. The moment the program encounters this exception, it is unable to proceed in its usual sequence of operations, leading to disruptions in its functionality.
Effectively handling exceptions is crucial to maintaining program stability and providing a smooth user experience. You can handle exceptions using constructs like try-catch blocks in many programming languages, ensuring the program can respond appropriately to unforeseen errors instead of abruptly terminating.

program crash

A program crash is a direct consequence of an unhandled exception. When an exception is not caught and managed, it causes the program to stop functioning altogether. This abrupt halt is termed as a 'crash'.
During a crash, the program will stop executing the remaining code and shut down improperly, which can lead to data loss or corruption.
For instance, if a program tries to open a file that doesn't exist and the exception is not handled, the program will immediately terminate. Handling exceptions helps to keep the program running smoothly even when some parts fail, allowing for recovery or alternative solutions.

error messages

When a program encounters an unhandled exception and subsequently crashes, it typically generates an error message or traceback. These error messages are a crucial tool for debugging as they provide insights into what caused the problem and where it occurred.
Error messages often include the type of exception that was raised, a description of the error, and a stack trace showing the sequence of function calls leading to the error. For instance, a common error message might look like 'FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory'.
Understanding and interpreting these messages can significantly aid in diagnosing and fixing bugs, ensuring the program behaves as intended under various conditions.