What is an exception in programming?

An exception in programming refers to an error that occurs during the execution of a program. This can happen for various reasons, such as attempting to divide by zero, accessing an out-of-bounds element in an array, or trying to open a file that does not exist. When an exception occurs, the normal flow of the program is disrupted, and the program requires a mechanism to handle this error, which often involves using try-catch blocks or similar structures to manage the exception gracefully.

Unlike warnings that may be raised by the compiler, exceptions indicate serious issues that prevent the program from functioning as intended. They are not just features of object-oriented programming nor are they data structures; they are specific events that require attention during program execution to ensure stability and reliability. Therefore, defining an exception as an error that occurs during execution accurately captures its essence and significance in programming.