In programming, exceptions are errors or unusual scenarios that disrupt the normal flow of execution. Exception handling mechanisms use catch blocks to handle these exceptions effectively. When an exception is thrown, the program's execution is handed over to a catch block that is designed to address the specific exception.
A catch block acts like a safety net, ensuring that the program does not crash when an unexpected event occurs. The primary role of a catch block is to allow the programmer to specify what should occur if an exception arises. Inside a catch block, you can define:
- The code to execute if the exception occurs.
- A message to notify the user about the error.
- The logic to clean up resources or retry an operation.
The catch block also ensures that after handling the exception, the program continues its execution from the next logical point, bypassing the disrupted flow.