What are the differences between exceptions and return values in programming?

What are the differences between exceptions and return values in programming?

Exceptions are used for error handling, while return values indicate the result of a function. Exceptions can interrupt the flow of execution, whereas return values allow the program to continue.

Can you give an example of when to use an exception instead of a return value?

Sure! If a function is supposed to read a file, and the file doesn't exist, throwing an exception is appropriate. This indicates a critical error that needs attention.

What about performance? Are exceptions slower than return values?

Yes, exceptions can be slower because they involve more overhead, such as stack unwinding. It's generally better to use return values for expected outcomes.

Are there any programming languages that handle this differently?

Yes, some languages like Python and Java have built-in support for exceptions, while others like C rely more on return values for error handling.