Question
What is the standard Java exception class to indicate that an object was not found?
// Example code to find a User by name
User findUserByName(Collection<User> users, String name) throws ObjectNotFoundException {
for(User user : users) {
if(user.getName().equals(name)) {
return user;
}
}
throw new ObjectNotFoundException();
}
Answer
In Java, there isn't a specific built-in exception class dedicated to indicating 'object not found' situations. However, several existing exceptions can serve a similar purpose, depending on the context of your application.
// Example using NoSuchElementException
User findUserByName(Collection<User> users, String name) {
for(User user : users) {
if(user.getName().equals(name)) {
return user;
}
}
throw new NoSuchElementException("User not found with name: " + name);
}
Causes
- The object does not exist in the provided collection.
- The identifier used to search for the object was incorrect or not found.
Solutions
- Use an existing Java exception like NoSuchElementException or IllegalArgumentException, which can convey similar meanings.
- If specific functionality is needed, it's advisable to implement a custom exception class for better readability and maintainability.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Creating a custom exception class without evaluating existing options.
Solution: Check built-in exceptions like NoSuchElementException or others suitable for your context.
Mistake: Not providing informative messages in custom exceptions.
Solution: Always include detailed messages for better debugging and logging.
Helpers
- Java exception handling
- object not found exception Java
- NoSuchElementException Java
- custom exception Java