Chapter 11: Problem 18

If a method has a throw statement, does it always have to have a throws clause in its header? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: No, it is not necessary for a method with a throw statement to always have a "throws" clause in its method header. This depends on whether the exception being thrown is checked or unchecked. For checked exceptions, the method must have a throws clause if the exception is not handled within the method, while for unchecked exceptions, a throws clause is not required.

Step by step solution

Understanding throw statement and throws clause

A throw statement is used to explicitly throw an exception, usually inside a method for handling an error. A throws clause, on the other hand, is used to indicate that a particular method might throw a specific exception, and it is used in the method header. When a method is declared with a throws clause, it becomes the caller's responsibility to handle the specified exception.

Case 1: Checked Exceptions

For checked exceptions, if a method throws an exception using a throw statement and does not handle that exception within the method itself, it must have a throws clause in its header. Checked exceptions are the exceptions that occur at compile-time and are required to be handled or declared using a throws clause. Examples of checked exceptions are IOException, ClassNotFoundException, etc.

Case 2: Unchecked Exceptions

For unchecked exceptions, a method with a throw statement does not need to have a throws clause in its header. Unchecked exceptions are the exceptions that occur at runtime and are not required to be explicitly handled or declared using a throws clause. Examples of unchecked exceptions are NullPointerException, ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException, etc.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Computer Science Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

If a method has a throw statement, does it always have to have a throws clause in its header? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding throw statement and throws clause

Case 1: Checked Exceptions

Case 2: Unchecked Exceptions

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Computer Science Textbooks

Problem Solving Techniques

Big Data

Computer Network

Computer Programming

Data Structures

Computer Organisation and Architecture

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.