Exceptions are the standard mechanism for reporting errors. Applications and libraries should not use return codes to communicate errors. The use of exceptions adds to a consistent framework design and allows error reporting from members, such as constructors, that cannot have a return type. Exceptions also allow programs to handle the error or terminate as appropriate. The default behavior is to terminate an application if it does not handle a thrown exception. For a detailed discussion of exceptions in the .NET Framework, see Handling and Throwing Exceptions.
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For more information on design guidelines, see the "Framework Design Guidelines: Conventions, Idioms, and Patterns for Reusable .NET Libraries" book by Krzysztof Cwalina and Brad Abrams, published by Addison-Wesley, 2005.
- Exception Throwing
Describes guidelines for throwing exceptions.
- Exception Handling
Describes guidelines for catching exceptions.
- Catching and Throwing Standard Exception Types
Describes guidelines for working with common exceptions provided by the .NET Framework.
- Designing Custom Exceptions
Describes guidelines for defining new exception types.
- Exceptions and Performance
Describes guidelines for using design patterns to avoid performance issues related to exceptions.
Other Resources