What are the performance differences between exceptions and error codes?

What are the performance differences between exceptions and error codes?

Exceptions can be more costly in terms of performance because they involve stack unwinding and can disrupt the normal flow of execution. Error codes, on the other hand, are generally faster as they allow for a more straightforward control flow.

Can you explain why exceptions might be slower?

Sure! When an exception is thrown, the program must unwind the call stack to find a suitable catch block, which adds overhead. This process can be significantly slower than simply checking an error code.

Are there scenarios where using exceptions is preferred?

Yes, exceptions are preferred in scenarios where error handling needs to be centralized, such as in complex applications where multiple layers of function calls exist. They can make the code cleaner and easier to maintain.

What about readability and maintainability?

Exceptions often improve readability and maintainability because they separate error handling from regular code flow, making it clearer what the main logic is.