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C# Exception Handling Tutorial with Examples

  1. What is Exception?
  2. Exception Hierarchy
  3. Handling exception with try-catch
  4. try-catch-finally
  5. Exception Wrapping
  6. Some common exceptions

1. What is Exception?

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First, let's see the following illustration example:
In this example, there is an part of error code which results from the division by 0. The division by 0 causes the exception: DivideByZeroException
HelloException.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class HelloException
    {
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        { 
            Console.WriteLine("Three"); 
            // This division no problem.
            int value = 10 / 2; 
            Console.WriteLine("Two");

            // This division no problem.
            value = 10 / 1; 
            Console.WriteLine("One"); 
            int d = 0;

            // This division has problem, divided by 0.
            // An error has occurred here.
            value = 10 / d;

            // And the following code will not be executed.
            Console.WriteLine("Let's go!"); 
            Console.Read();
        }
    }
}
The result from running the example:
You can see the notification on the Console screen. The error notification is very clear, including the information of code line.
Three
Two
One
Let see the flow of the program through the following illustration:
  • The program runs normally from step (1), (2) to (5).
  • In step (6), the program divided by 0.
  • The program jumps out of main method, and the (7) code line has not been executed.
We will modify code of above example.
HelloCatchException.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class HelloCatchException
    {
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        { 
            Console.WriteLine("Three"); 
            // This division has no problem.
            int value = 10 / 2;  
            Console.WriteLine("Two");

            // This division has no problem.
            value = 10 / 1;  
            Console.WriteLine("One");  
            int d = 0; 
            try
            {
                // This division has problem, divided by 0.
                // An error has occurred here.  
                value = 10 / d;

                // And the following code will not be executed.
                Console.WriteLine("Value =" + value);
            }
            catch (DivideByZeroException e)
            {
                // The code in the catch block will be executed
                Console.WriteLine("Error: " + e.Message);  
                Console.WriteLine("Ignore..."); 
            } 
            // This code is executed.
            Console.WriteLine("Let's go!");  
            Console.Read();
        }
    } 
}
And the results of running the example:
Three
Two
One
Error: Attempted to divide by zero.
Ignore...
Let't go!
We will explain the flow of the program by the following illustration images.
  • Steps (1) to (6) are completely normal.
  • Exception occurs in step (7), the problem divided by zero.
  • Immediately it jumps in executing the command in catch block, step (8) is skipped.
  • Step (9), (10) is executed.
  • Step (11), (12) is executed.

2. Exception Hierarchy

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This is the model of hierarchical map of Exception in CSharp.
  • The highest class is Exception
  • Two direct subclasses is SystemError and ApplicationException.
The Exception which is builtin of CSharp is usually derived from SystemException. Meanwhile, the programmers' Exception should inherit from ApplicationException or its subclasses.
Some common Exceptions, available in CSharp:

Exception type

Description

Exception

Base class for all exceptions.

SystemException

Base class for all runtime-generated errors.

IndexOutOfRangeException

Thrown by the runtime only when an array is indexed improperly.

NullReferenceException

Thrown by the runtime only when a null object is referenced.

AccessViolationException

Thrown by the runtime only when invalid memory is accessed.

InvalidOperationException

Thrown by methods when in an invalid state.

ArgumentException

Base class for all argument exceptions.

ArgumentNullException

Thrown by methods that do not allow an argument to be null.

ArgumentOutOfRangeException

Thrown by methods that verify that arguments are in a given range.

ExternalException

Base class for exceptions that occur or are targeted at environments outside the runtime.

COMException

Exception encapsulating COM HRESULT information.

SEHException

Exception encapsulating Win32 structured exception handling information.

3. Handling exception with try-catch

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We write a class that inherits from ApplicationException.
AgeException.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
   class AgeException : ApplicationException
   {
       public AgeException(String message)
           : base(message)
       {
       }
   }
   class TooYoungException : AgeException
   {
       public TooYoungException(String message)
           : base(message)
       {
       }
   }
   class TooOldException : AgeException
   {
       public TooOldException(String message)
           : base(message)
       {
       }
   }
}
And AgeUtils class with static methods for the examination of age.
AgeUtils.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class AgeUtils
    {
        // This method checks the age.
        // If age is less than 18, the method will throw an exception TooYoungException
        // If age greater than 40, the method will throw an exception TooOldException
        public static void checkAge(int age)
        {
            if (age < 18)
            {
                // If age is less than 18, an exception will be thrown
                // This method ends here.
                throw new TooYoungException("Age " + age + " too young");
            }
            else if (age > 40)
            {
                // If age greater than 40, an exception will be thrown.
                // This method ends here.
                throw new TooOldException("Age " + age + " too old");
            }
            // If age is between 18-40.
            // This code will be execute.
            Console.WriteLine("Age " + age + " OK!");
        }
    } 
}
TryCatchDemo1.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class TryCatchDemo1
    {
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // Start Recruiting ...
            Console.WriteLine("Start Recruiting ...");

            // Check your age.
            Console.WriteLine("Check your Age");
            int age = 50; 
            try
            { 
                AgeUtils.checkAge(age); 
                Console.WriteLine("You pass!"); 
            }
            catch (TooYoungException e)
            {
                // Notice of "too young" exception.
                Console.WriteLine("You are too young, not pass!");
                Console.WriteLine(e.Message); 
            }
            catch (TooOldException e)
            {
                // Notice of "too old" exception.
                Console.WriteLine("You are too old, not pass!");
                Console.WriteLine(e.Message); 
            } 
            Console.Read(); 
        }
    } 
}
Run the example:
Start Recruiting ...
Check your Age
You are too old, not pass!
Age 50 too old
In the following example, we will catch exceptions through parent exceptions (super exception class).
TryCatchDemo2.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class TryCatchDemo2
    {
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // Start Recruiting ...
            Console.WriteLine("Start Recruiting ...");

            // Check your age.
            Console.WriteLine("Check your Age");
            int age = 15; 
            try
            {
                // Here can throw TooOldException or TooYoungException
                AgeUtils.checkAge(age); 
                Console.WriteLine("You pass!"); 
            }
            // If an exception occurs, type of AgeException
            // This catch block will be executed.
            catch (AgeException e)
            { 
                Console.WriteLine("Your age invalid, you not pass");
                Console.WriteLine(e.Message); 
            } 
            Console.Read();
        }
    } 
}
Running the example:
Start Recruiting ...
Check your Age
Your age invalid, you not pass
Age 15 too young

4. try-catch-finally

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We have got accustomed with catching error through try-catch block. try-catch-finally is used to fully handle exception.
try { 
  // Do something here
} catch (Exception1 e) { 
  // Do something here
} catch (Exception2 e) { 
  // Do something here
} finally { 
  // The finally block is always executed
  // Do something here.
}
TryCatchFinallyDemo.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class TryCatchFinallyDemo
    {
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        { 
            String text = "001234A2"; 
            int value = toInteger(text); 
            Console.WriteLine("Value= " + value); 
            Console.Read();  
        } 
        public static int toInteger(String text)
        {
            try
            { 
                Console.WriteLine("Begin parse text: " + text); 
                // An Exception can throw here (FormatException).
                int value = int.Parse(text); 
                return value; 
            }
            catch (FormatException e)
            {
                // In the case of 'text' is not a number.
                // This catch block will be executed.  
                Console.WriteLine("Number format exception: " + e.Message); 
                return 0; 
            }
            finally
            { 
                Console.WriteLine("End parse text: " + text); 
            } 
        }
    } 
}
Running the example:
Begin parse text: 001234A2
Number format exception: Input string was not in a correct format.
End parse text: 001234A2
Value= 0
This is the flow of the program. Finally block is always executed.

5. Exception Wrapping

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We need a some class participated in this example:
  • Person: Simulate a participant recruitment into the company with the information: Name, age, gender.
  • GenderException: Gender Exception.
  • ValidateException: Exception evaluate a candidate.
  • ValidateUtils: Class with static method evaluate candidates.
    • Valid if age between 18-40 and male
Person.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
  class Person
  {
      public static readonly string MALE = "male";
      public static readonly string FEMALE = "female";
      private string name;
      private string gender;
      private int age;
      public Person(string name, string gender, int age)
      {
          this.name = name;
          this.gender = gender;
          this.age = age;
      }
      public string GetName()
      {
          return name;
      }
      public string GetGender()
      {
          return gender;
      }
      public int GetAge()
      {
          return age;
      }
  }
}
GenderException.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
   class GenderException : ApplicationException
   {
       public GenderException(String message)
           : base(message)
       { 
       }
   }
}
Class ValidateException wrap other Exception.
ValidateException.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class ValidateException : ApplicationException
    { 
        // Wrap an Exception
        public ValidateException(Exception e) : base("Something invalid", e)
        { 
        }
    } 
}
ValidateUtils.java
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{ 
    class ValidateUtils
    {
        // Method to check a Person.
        public static void CheckPerson(Person person)
        {
            try
            {
                // Check age.
                // Valid if between 18-40
                // This method can throw TooOldException, TooYoungException.   
                AgeUtils.checkAge(person.GetAge()); 
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                // If not valid
                // Wrap this exception by ValidateException, and throw.
                throw new ValidateException(e); 
            } 
            // If that person is Female, then invalid.
            if (person.GetGender() == Person.FEMALE)
            { 
                GenderException e = new GenderException("Do not accept women");
                throw new ValidateException(e); 
            }
        }
    } 
}
WrapperExceptionDemo.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class WrapperExceptionDemo
    {
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        { 
            // An applicant.
            Person person = new Person("Marry", Person.FEMALE, 20); 
            try
            {
                // Exceptions may occur here.
                ValidateUtils.CheckPerson(person); 
            }
            catch (ValidateException wrap)
            { 
                // Get the real cause.
                // May be TooYoungException, TooOldException, GenderException.
                Exception cause = wrap.GetBaseException(); 
                if (cause != null)
                {
                    Console.WriteLine("Message: " + wrap.Message);
                    Console.WriteLine("Base Exception Message: " + cause.Message);
                }
                else
                {
                    Console.WriteLine("Message: " + wrap.Message);

                }
            } 
            Console.Read();
        }
    } 
}
Running the example:
Age 20 OK!
Message: Something invalid
Base Exception Message: Do not accept women

6. Some common exceptions

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Now you can see a few examples with the common exception.
NullReferenceException
This is one of the most common exceptions that usually causes error to the program. Exception is thrown out when you call method or access to fields of an null object.
NullReferenceExceptionDemo.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class NullReferenceExceptionDemo
    {
        // Example, here is a method that can return null string.
        public static string GetString()
        {
            if (1 == 2)
            {
                return "1==2 !!";
            }
            return null;
        } 
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // This is an object that references not null.
            string text1 = "Hello exception";

            // Get length of string.
            int length = text1.Length; 
            Console.WriteLine("Length text1 = " + length);

            // This is an object that references null.
            String text2 = GetString(); // text2 = null.

            // Get length of string.
            // NullReferenceException will occur here. 
            length = text2.Length; // ==> Runtime Error! 
            Console.WriteLine("Finish!"); 
            Console.Read();
        }
    } 
}
In reality, like handling other exceptions, you can use try-catch to catch and handle this exception. However, that is mechanical, normally, we should check to ensure that the object not null value before using it.

You can correct the above code to make it similar to the following one with the avoidance of NullReferenceException:
// This is a null object.
String text2 = GetString(); // ==> return null

// Check to make sure 'text2' is not null,
// Instead of using try-catch.
if (text2 != null)
{
      length = text2.Length;
}
IndexOutOfRangeException
This exception occurs when you try to access to the element whose index are invalid on array. For example, an array has 10 elements, but you access to the element with index 20.
IndexOutOfRangeExceptionDemo.cs
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace ExceptionTutorial
{
    class IndexOutOfRangeExceptionDemo
    {
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        { 
            String[] strs = new String[] { "One", "Two", "Three" }; 
            // Access to the element at index 0.
            String str1 = strs[0]; 
            Console.WriteLine("String at 0 = " + str1);

            // Access to the element has index 5.
            // IndexOutOfRangeException occur here.
            String str2 = strs[5]; 
            Console.WriteLine("String at 5 = " + str2); 
            Console.Read(); 
        }
    }
}
To avoid IndexOutOfRangeException you should check the array instead of using try-catch.
if (strs.length > 5)
{
     String str2 = strs[5];
     Console.WriteLine("String at 5 = " + str2);
}
else
{
     Console.WriteLine("No elements with index 5");
}
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