Difference Between Throw and Throws
Before we explore the difference between Throw and Throws, let’s understand what an exception is. An exception is an event that occurs during the execution of a program that disrupts the normal flow of instructions. Now, coming back to the main topic – Throw vs. Throws.
The main difference between Throw and Throws keywords in Java programming is that you can use the Throw keyword to throw an exception explicitly in the code. In contrast, you can use the Throws keyword to declare that a method might throw an exception in the code.
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Before moving further and diving deeper into the article, let’s first go through the list of topics listed under the table of contents (TOC) that we will cover in this article. Here’s the table of contents:
Table of Contents (TOC)
- Difference Between Throw and Throws
- What is Throw keyword in Java?
- What is Throws keyword in Java?
- Key Differences Between Throw and Throws
- Conclusion
Difference Between Throw and Throws
For a better understanding of the difference between Throw and Throws keywords in Java, let’s cover it in a tabular format.
| Benchmark | Throw Keyword | Throws Keyword |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | You use the Throw keyword to throw an exception explicitly. | You can use the Throws keyword to declare that a method might throw an exception. |
| Declaration | The Throw keyword is used inside a method. | The Throws keyword is used in the method signature. |
| The syntax is followed by | An instance of exception to be thrown. | Class names of exceptions to be thrown. |
| Can this keyword propagate the checked exceptions? | No. | Yes. |
| Number of exceptions that can be thrown using this keyword | Only one exception | Multiple exceptions |
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What is Throw keyword in Java?
Throw Keyword Definition: The Throw keyword in Java allows you to throw an exception explicitly in the code.
The throw keyword comes in handy when you want to raise an exception in your code based on specific conditions. In order to understand this, let’s go through an example.
Throw Example:
if (balance < withdrawAmount) { throw new InsufficientBalanceException("You have insufficient balance");}
In the above code, if the balance is less than the withdraw amount, an InsufficientBalanceException is thrown using the Throw keyword. A “try-catch” block will catch the exception in the calling code. Once this is done, an exception message, “You have insufficient balance,” will be displayed.
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What is Throws keyword in Java?
Throws Keyword Definition: The Throws keyword in Java is used in a method signature to declare that the method might throw an exception.
When you declare a method using the Throws keyword, the method does not handle the exception itself. But instead, it passes it on to the calling code. The calling code must either handle the exception using a “try-catch” block or declare it in its own method signature using the Throws keyword.
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By using this keyword, the method can throw the exception without handling it. Thus making the code more modular and easier to maintain. In order to understand the Throws Keyword, let’s go through an example.
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Throws Example:
public void withdraw(double amount) throws InsufficientBalanceException { if (balance < withdrawAmount) { throw new InsufficientBalanceException("You have insufficient balance"); } // ...}
In the above code, the Throws InsufficientBalanceException in the method signature declares that the withdraw method might throw an InsufficientBalanceException. The calling code must either catch the exception using a try-catch block or declare it in its own method signature using the throws keyword.
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Key Differences Between Throw and Throws
Here are the key differences between the Throw and Throws keywords in Java:
- Throw keyword cannot propagate the checked exceptions, but the Throws keyword is capable of doing so.
- The Throw keyword is used inside a method. Whereas the Throws keyword is used in the method signature.
- The Throw keyword throws an exception explicitly. Whereas the Throws keyword declares that a method might throw an exception.
- Throw syntax is followed by an instance of exception to be thrown. In contrast, the Throws syntax is followed by the class names of exceptions to be thrown.
- The number of exceptions that can be thrown using the Throw keyword is only one. In contrast, the number of exceptions that can be thrown using the Throws keyword is multiple.
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