> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.pranaypourkar.co.in/the-programmers-guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.pranaypourkar.co.in/the-programmers-guide/java/java-basics/java-data-types/others/throwable/error-vs-exception.md). # Error vs Exception


Aspect	Error	Exception
Definition	Represents serious problems that a reasonable application should not try to catch.	Represents conditions that an application might want to catch and handle.
Type	Subclass of `Throwable`.	Subclass of `Throwable`.
Recoverability	Non-recoverable; generally cannot be handled by the application.	Recoverable; can be caught and handled using `try-catch`.
Examples	`OutOfMemoryError`, `StackOverflowError`, `VirtualMachineError`.	`IOException`, `NullPointerException`, `ArithmeticException`.
Cause	Typically caused by system-level issues or resources.	Typically caused by issues in application logic or external factors.
Handling	Rarely handled as they indicate critical problems in the JVM.	Should be handled in code using `try-catch` blocks or declared using `throws`.
When to Occur	During the runtime due to system-level failures or resource exhaustion.	During compile-time (checked exceptions) or runtime (unchecked exceptions).
Subtypes	No division into checked or unchecked; all errors are unchecked.	Divided into checked (e.g., `IOException`) and unchecked (e.g., `NullPointerException`).
Examples in Code	Example: `throw new OutOfMemoryError();`	Example: `throw new IOException("File not found");` or `throw new RuntimeException();`.
Purpose	Indicates issues that require JVM intervention or are fatal to the application.	Indicates issues that are part of normal application flow and can be managed.

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