How does exception handling affect performance in C++?

How does exception handling affect performance in C++?

Exception handling in C++ can introduce overhead, especially if exceptions are thrown frequently. However, if used judiciously, it can lead to cleaner code without significant performance penalties.

What are the performance costs associated with try-catch blocks?

The performance costs include stack unwinding and the potential for increased binary size. However, if exceptions are rare, the impact can be minimal.

Are there any best practices to minimize performance impact?

Yes, some best practices include using exceptions for truly exceptional cases, avoiding exceptions in performance-critical code, and using error codes where appropriate.

Can you give an example of when to use exceptions?

Exceptions are best used for handling errors that are not expected to occur during normal operation, such as file not found or memory allocation failures.