What is the impact of exceptions on performance in Java?

What is the impact of exceptions on performance in Java?

Exceptions in Java can significantly affect performance, especially if they are used for control flow. Throwing and catching exceptions is more costly than regular control flow statements.

Can you explain why catching exceptions is more expensive?

Catching exceptions involves creating an exception object and unwinding the stack, which requires more resources than simple conditional checks.

Are there best practices to minimize the performance impact?

Yes, best practices include using exceptions for exceptional conditions only, avoiding them for regular control flow, and using specific exception types.

What about the impact on readability and maintainability?

While exceptions can improve readability by separating error handling from business logic, overusing them can lead to complex code that's hard to maintain.