What is the performance impact of exceptions in C++?

What is the performance impact of exceptions in C++?

The performance impact of exceptions in C++ can vary. Generally, throwing exceptions can be costly in terms of performance, especially if exceptions are used frequently in performance-critical code. However, if exceptions are used sparingly, the overhead can be minimized.

Can you explain why throwing exceptions is costly?

Throwing exceptions involves stack unwinding, which means that the program must clean up the stack frames of the functions that were called before the exception was thrown. This process can be time-consuming, especially if there are many nested function calls.

Are there any best practices to minimize the performance impact?

Yes, some best practices include using exceptions for truly exceptional cases, avoiding exceptions in performance-critical paths, and using error codes for regular error handling.

What about the impact on code readability and maintainability?

Using exceptions can improve code readability and maintainability by separating error handling from regular control flow. However, overusing them can lead to complex code that is hard to follow.