What are the best practices for handling exceptions in C++?

What are the best practices for handling exceptions in C++?

When handling exceptions in C++, it's important to follow these best practices: 1. Use exceptions for error handling instead of return codes. 2. Catch exceptions by reference to avoid slicing. 3. Always clean up resources in a catch block or use RAII. 4. Don't use exceptions for control flow. 5. Document the exceptions your functions can throw.

Can you explain RAII and how it relates to exception handling?

RAII stands for Resource Acquisition Is Initialization. It ensures that resources are properly released when an object goes out of scope, which is crucial in exception handling. By tying resource management to object lifetime, you can prevent resource leaks even if an exception is thrown.

What should I do if I can't handle an exception in a function?

If you can't handle an exception in a function, you should propagate it up the call stack using throw;. This allows higher-level functions to handle the exception appropriately.

Are there any specific exceptions I should be aware of in C++?

Yes, in C++, you should be aware of standard exceptions like std::runtime_error, std::logic_error, and std::bad_alloc. These provide useful information about the type of error that occurred.