Should Exceptions Be Caught and Silently Ignored in Java or C?

Best Practices for Exception Management in Java or C

When working with remote services or deserializing JSON objects, handling exceptions appropriately is crucial. Simply catching and returning error codes as the caller's only notification can be problematic.

Key Questions:

• Is it acceptable to catch exceptions without propagating them or informing the system?
• How can we minimize the need for try/catch blocks while maintaining exception management?

Best Practices:

• Catch only exceptions that can be handled: Exceptions should be handled only if actionable steps can be taken. If not, rethrow them to allow higher-level handlers to deal with them.
• Minimal use of try/catch blocks: Avoid excessive try/catch blocks as they can hinder code readability and maintenance. Delegate exception handling to higher-level handlers whenever possible.
• Respect language idioms: Follow the error handling constructs of the language being used. Consider using exceptions instead of returning error codes, which are more common in C than in Java.
• Handle exceptions gracefully: Inform the caller when exceptions occur that require user action or special processing. Consider providing a user-friendly error message and appropriate recovery options.
• Consider the caller's perspective: Determine if the caller truly needs to know the specific exception or if simply indicating success or failure is sufficient.
• Contextualize error handling: The best approach to exception handling may vary depending on the context. Consistency within a given system is key.
• Beware of code-rot: Excessive try/catches or ignoring exceptions can lead to code deterioration. Respect the warnings provided by exceptions and handle them appropriately.

Additional Considerations:

• Examine each exception's purpose and determine the appropriate response.
• Contextualize error handling to make sense within the system.
• Consider whether the caller requires detailed exception information or just a success/failure indication.

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