Handling Exceptions in Java Using try-catch blocks and 'throws' keyword

Java exception handling is a critical aspect of any Java program designed to tackle runtime errors, ensuring smooth execution of code. This can be completed through the use of try-catch blocks and the 'throws' keyword.

Using try-catch Blocks

Try-catch blocks in Java allow a program to handle exceptions by strategizing the error-handling mechanism. These blocks contain two segments - 'try' block which wraps the code that may possibly throw an exception, and 'catch' block which is set up to handle the thrown exception.

Here is a typical use case:

try {
    // Code that may throw an exception
    int num = 0;
    int res = 50 / num;
}
catch(ArithmeticException e) {
    // Action taken when the exception is thrown
    System.out.println("Cannot divide by zero");
}

In this example, dividing any number by zero will definitely raise an ArithmeticException. The 'catch' block has been set up to catch this exception when it is thrown, and to print out a message to the user, thus avoiding a program crash.

Using the 'throws' Keyword

The 'throws' keyword in Java is used to declare an exception. It provides a method to inform that there may be a potential exception that might come up. It's useful when you want to acknowledge possible errors but handle them in a higher section of the code.

An example would be:

public void mightThrowException() throws FileNotFoundException {
    // Code that may throw FileNotFoundException
    File newFile = new File("non_existent_file.txt");
    FileReader fr = new FileReader(newFile);
}

This example declares using the 'throws' keyword that the method mightThrowException() may throw a FileNotFoundException. It's crucial to note that, when a method uses the 'throws' keyword, it must be handled using a try-catch block or continue to be thrown up the calling hierarchy.

In sum, handling exceptions in Java involves the usage of try-catch blocks and the 'throws' keyword. The former allows for managing exceptions by wrapping problematic code and responding to issues as they arise, while the latter is more about declaring that an exception might occur, allowing it to be dealt with elsewhere in the codebase. It's essential to deploy these strategically for robust and reliable Java programs.