Checked vs. Unchecked Exceptions in Java: Which One Do You Prefer?

Introduction

Exception handling is a fundamental aspect of Java development, especially when working with frameworks like Spring Boot. One of the most debated topics in the Java community is whether to use checked or unchecked exceptions. Both approaches have their merits, but which one leads to cleaner, more maintainable code?

In this article, we’ll break down the differences, discuss best practices, and explore how Spring Boot enables efficient exception handling using @ExceptionHandler and @ControllerAdvice.

1. Understanding Checked vs. Unchecked Exceptions

✅ Checked Exceptions

Checked exceptions must either be declared in the method signature (throws) or handled within a try-catch block. They extend Exception (excluding RuntimeException). A common example is:

public void readFile(String filePath) throws IOException {
    Files.readAllLines(Path.of(filePath));
}        

Checked exceptions force developers to acknowledge potential failures, making error handling explicit.

❌ Unchecked Exceptions

Unchecked exceptions extend RuntimeException and do not require explicit handling. Examples include:

• NullPointerException
• IllegalArgumentException
• ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException

They are generally used for programming errors rather than recoverable conditions.

2. When to Use Checked Exceptions

Checked exceptions are ideal when:

✔️ The failure is recoverable (e.g., network failures, file access issues, database errors).

✔️ You want to enforce error handling to make failures explicit.

However, excessive checked exceptions can clutter code with redundant try-catch blocks, reducing readability and maintainability.

3. When to Use Unchecked Exceptions

Unchecked exceptions work best when:

✔️ The failure is due to a programming mistake (e.g., passing null where a value is required).

✔️ You want cleaner code without excessive exception handling.

The downside? If not properly handled, unchecked exceptions can cause unexpected crashes, making debugging more challenging.

4. Exception Handling in Spring Boot

Spring Boot provides centralized exception handling with @ControllerAdvice and @ExceptionHandler, improving code organization.

Example: Handling a custom exception in Spring Boot:

@ResponseStatus(HttpStatus.BAD_REQUEST)
public class CustomException extends RuntimeException {
    public CustomException(String message) {
        super(message);
    }
}

@RestControllerAdvice
public class GlobalExceptionHandler {
    @ExceptionHandler(CustomException.class)
    public ResponseEntity<String> handleCustomException(CustomException ex) {
        return ResponseEntity.badRequest().body(ex.getMessage());
    }
}        

This ensures a consistent error response across the application.

5. Best Practices for Exception Handling

🔹 Use checked exceptions for recoverable issues (e.g., database failures).

🔹 Avoid unnecessary checked exceptions to reduce redundant try-catch blocks.

🔹 Leverage Spring Boot’s @ExceptionHandler for centralized error management.

🔹 Provide meaningful exception messages for better debugging.

🔹 Use logging frameworks like SLF4J or Logback to capture and analyze exceptions effectively.

Conclusion

There is no universal answer—both checked and unchecked exceptions have their place in Java development.

• Checked exceptions enforce explicit handling, making failures predictable.
• Unchecked exceptions lead to cleaner and less restrictive code.

By following best practices and leveraging Spring Boot’s exception handling capabilities, developers can write robust, maintainable applications.

💡 What’s your take? Do you prefer checked or unchecked exceptions? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇