1Z0-811 Exception Handling and Development Tools Practice Question
A developer writes a catch block that handles multiple exception types that have a subclass relationship. Which of the following is a valid use of the multi-catch feature?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 1Z0-811 exam often tests the rule that multi-catch cannot contain exception types with a subclass relationship, and that separate catch blocks must order exceptions from most specific to most general to avoid unreachable code.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
catch (IOException e) { ... } catch (SomeOtherUnrelatedException e) { ... }
It demonstrates the proper use of separate catch blocks for unrelated exception types, which is valid. The multi-catch feature (introduced in Java 7) allows catching multiple exception types in a single catch block only if they are not in a parent-child relationship; otherwise, the compiler reports an error due to unreachable code. Since IOException and SomeOtherUnrelatedException are unrelated, separate catch blocks are perfectly valid.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
catch (IOException | FileNotFoundException e) { ... }
Why it's wrong here
Multi-catch cannot contain exceptions where one is a subclass of another; compile error.
- ✓
catch (IOException e) { ... } catch (SomeOtherUnrelatedException e) { ... }
Why this is correct
Separate catches are allowed; the more specific exception (if needed) should come first, but if they are unrelated, order doesn't matter. This approach is valid.
- ✗
catch (FileNotFoundException | IOException e) { ... }
Why it's wrong here
Same as B, order doesn't matter; still a compile error.
- ✗
catch (IOException e) { ... } catch (FileNotFoundException e) { ... }
Why it's wrong here
FileNotFoundException is a subclass of IOException; the first catch would catch it, making the second unreachable.
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