Kotlin Exception Handling | try, catch, throw and finally

An exception is an unwanted or unexpected event, which occurs during the execution of a program i.e at
run time, that disrupts the normal flow of the program’s instructions. Exception handling is a technique,
using which we can handle errors and prevent run time crashes that can stop our program.

There are two types of Exceptions –

1. Checked Exception – Exceptions that are typically set on methods and checked at the compile
time, for example IOException, FileNotFoundException etc
2. UnChecked Exception – Exceptions that are generally due to logical errors and checked at the
run time, for example NullPointerException, ArrayIndexOutOfBoundException etc

Kotlin Exceptions –

In Kotlin, we have only unchecked exceptions and can be caught only at run time. All the exception
classes are descendants of Throwable class.

We generally use the throw-expression, to throw an exception object –

throw Exception("Throw me")

Some of the common exceptions are:

 NullPointerException: It is thrown when we try to invoke a property or method on null object.

 Arithmetic Exception: It is thrown when invalid arithmetic operations are performed on
numbers. eg – divide by zero.
 SecurityException: It is thrown to indicate security violation.
 ArrayIndexOutOfBoundException: It is thrown when we try to access invalid index value of an
array.

Kotlin program of throwing arithmetic exception –

fun main(){
var num = 10 / 0 // throws exception
println(num)
}

Output:
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.ArithmeticException: / by zero

In the above program, we initialize the num variable with value 10/0, but we know in arithmetic divide by
zero is not allowed. While we are trying to run the program it throws an exception.

To solve this problem, we have to use try-catch block.

Kotlin try-catch block –

In Kotlin, we use try-catch block for exception handling in the program. The try block encloses the code
which is responsible for throwing an exception and the catch block is used for handling the exception.
This block must be written within the main or other methods. Try block should be followed by either
catch block or finally block or both.

Syntax for try-catch block –

try {
// code that can throw exception
} catch(e: ExceptionName) {
// catch the exception and handle it
}

Kotlin program of arithmetic exception handling using try-catch block –

import kotlin.ArithmeticException
fun main(args : Array<String>){
try{
var num = 10 / 0
}
catch(e: ArithmeticException){
// caught and handles it
println("Divide by zero not allowed")
}
}
Output:
Divide by zero not allowed

Explanation:
In the above program, we have used try-catch block. The num variable which can throw exception is
enclosed within the braces of try block because divide by zero not defined in arithmetic. The exception
caught by the catch block and execute the println() statement.

Kotlin try-catch block as an expression –

As we already know, expression always returns a value. We can use kotlin try-catch block as an
expression in our program. The value returned by the expression will be either last expression of try
block or last expression of catch block. If an exception occurs in the code, then catch block returns the
value.
Kotlin program of using try-catch as an expression –
fun test(a: Int, b: Int) : Any {
return try {
a/b
//println("The Result is: "+ a / b)
}
catch(e:Exception){
println(e)
"Divide by zero not allowed"
}
}
// main function
fun main() {
// invoke test function
var result1 = test(10,2 ) //execute try block
println(result1)
var result = test(10,0 ) // execute catch block
println(result)
}
Output:
5
java.lang.ArithmeticException: / by zero
Divide by zero not allowed

In the above code, we have used try-catch as an expression. Declare a function test on the top of program
and it return a value using try-catch block. We have invoked the test function from main method and
passed the parameter values (10,2) The test function evaluate the arguments and return try value (10/2 =
5). But in next call, we passed (b=0) and this time exception is caught and returns expression of catch
block.

Multiple Catch Blocks

Based on the type of exceptions thrown by the code in try block, there could be multiple catch blocks
following try block.In the following Kotlin program, there is a try-catch block with multiple blocks.

import java.io.IOException
fun main() {
val a = 6
val b = 0
var c : Int

try {
c = a/b
print(c)
} catch (e : IOException){
println("An IOException occurred. Please Handle.")
} catch (e : Exception){
println("An Exception occurred. Handle.")
}
}
Run this program and observe the output.

Output
An Exception occurred. Handle.
Process finished with exit code 0

The exception thrown by the try block is ArithmeticException. In the catch section, there are two catch
blocks. The first one handles IOException, which is not a specific match. So, the control goes to the
second catch block. This catch block handles any Exception. So, the second catch block gets executed.

Kotlin finally block –

In Kotlin, finally block is always executes irrespective of whether an exception is handled or not by the
catch block. So it is used to execute important code statement. We can also use finally block with try
block and skip the catch block from there.

Syntax of finally block with try block –

try {
// code that can throw exception
} finally {
// finally block code
}
Kotlin program of using finally block with try block block –

fun main(){
try{
var ar = arrayOf(1,2,3,4,5)
var int = ar[6]
println(int)
}
finally {
println("This block always executes")
}
}
Output:

This block always executes

Exception in thread “main” java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: Index 6 out of bounds for
length 5

In the above program, we have used try with finally block and skipped the catch block. Here, exception is
not handled by catch block but executes the finally block.

Syntax of finally block with try-catch block –

try {
// code that can throw exception
} catch(e: ExceptionName) {
// catch the exception and handle it.
} finally {
// finally block code
}

We can also use try, catch and finally blocks all together.
Kotlin program of using finally block with try-catch block-

fun main (){

try {
var int = 10 / 0
println(int)
} catch (e: ArithmeticException) {
println(e)
} finally {
println("This block always executes")
}
}

Output:

java.lang.ArithmeticException: / by zero
This block always executes
Kotlin throw keyword –

In Kotlin, we use throw keyword to throw an explicit exception. It can also be used to throw a custom
exception.

Kotlin program of using throw keyword –

fun main() {
test("abcd")
println("executes after the validation")
}
fun test(password: String) {
// calculate length of the entered password and compare
if (password.length < 6)
throw ArithmeticException("Password is too short")
else
println("Strong password")
}

Output:

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.ArithmeticException: Password is too short