# Understanding Throws in Programming
In programming, throws is a keyword used in exception handling, particularly in languages like Java. It indicates that a method may generate an exception but does not handle it internally. Instead, the exception is passed to the calling method for handling.
## How Throws Works
When a method declares that it `throws` an exception, it means:
1. The method might encounter an error.
2. The responsibility of handling the exception is shifted to the caller.
### Example in Java:
“`java
public void readFile() throws IOException {
FileReader file = new FileReader(“example.txt”);
// Code that may throw IOException
}
“`
Here, `readFile()` declares that it may throw an `IOException`, requiring the caller to handle it using a `try-catch` block or declare `throws` again.
## Key Points
– Propagation of Exceptions: `throws` allows exceptions to propagate up the call stack.
– Checked vs. Unchecked Exceptions: In Java, checked exceptions (like `IOException`) must be declared or handled, while unchecked exceptions (like `NullPointerException`) do not require `throws`.
– Method Signature Clarity: Using `throws` makes it clear which exceptions a method might raise.
By using `throws`, developers can write cleaner code by separating error-handling logic from core functionality.