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Catching what you can handle

An empty catch (Exception) and a leaked file handle. Handle the failure you know.

Beginner16 min on the clock5 graded checks · 100 pointsC# FoundationsPro

Graded by reading your code against the checklist below.

What you build

Catch the specific failure you can recover from
Never swallow an exception silently
Release the file handle whatever happens
Re-throw without destroying the stack trace
Filter or clean up rather than catching more than you meant to

Done means

A missing file is handled, everything else keeps its stack trace, and the handle is always released.

How it is graded

Published in full, before you start — every point is one of these and there is nothing else.

Catch the specific exception+25Exceptions you can act on
Never swallow it silently+20Exceptions you can act on
Release the handle whatever happens+20Exceptions you can act on
Re-throw without losing the stack trace+20Exceptions you can act on
Filter it, or clean up after it+15Exceptions you can act on

What it teaches

Exceptions you can act onbeginner

catch (Exception) { } hides the bug instead of handling it — catching the specific failure you know how to recover from is the difference between a resilient app and one that fails silently.

The rest of C# Foundations

The wrong containerBeginner · 15 min Loops that want to be LINQBeginner · 18 min Where null gets inBeginner · 18 min Blocking the threadBeginner · 20 min Types that say what they areBeginner · 18 min