An unexpected event or error condition that occurs during program execution, disrupting the normal flow of instructions. Exceptions can be caught and handled to prevent program crashes.
From Latin 'exceptio' meaning 'a taking out' or 'exclusion.' In programming since the 1960s, it refers to exceptional circumstances that take the program 'out' of its normal execution path.
An exception is like a fire alarm in a building - it's not supposed to happen during normal operations, but when it does, you need a plan to handle it safely! The difference between good and bad programs is often how gracefully they handle these unexpected situations.
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