What is the difference between error codes and exceptions in C#?

What is the difference between error codes and exceptions in C#?

In C#, error codes are typically returned by methods to indicate success or failure, while exceptions are used to handle errors that occur during execution.

Can you give me an example of when to use an error code?

Sure! You might use an error code in a method that reads a file, returning a specific code if the file is not found, instead of throwing an exception.

And when should I use exceptions instead?

Exceptions are best used for unexpected errors that occur during program execution, like a null reference or an out-of-bounds array access.

Are there performance implications for using exceptions?

Yes, throwing exceptions can be more costly in terms of performance compared to returning error codes, especially in high-frequency scenarios.