Question

So it is said to catch only exceptions which you cannot predict or are exceptional.

So for example, IOExceptions instead of FileNotFoundException (As this single case can be handled with a simple file check ot avoid using exceptions as flow control).

This is my understanding of the topic, correct me if I am wrong.

However, this raises the question….why are exceptions like FileNotFoundException available?

Thanks

Answer 1

You should catch exceptions that you can handle. Your first sentence is a little off and might be what is causing your confusion.

“So it is said to catch only exceptions which you cannot predict or are exceptional.”

This should read

“So it is said to only throw exceptions in situations which you cannot predict or are exceptional.”

Thus, if you can handle a FileNotFoundException, then you should catch it. There are a slew of exceptions that extend IOException and, surely, you cannot (would not want to?) handle all of them.