Salesforce Platform Developer Practice Exam

When creating a method in an Apex class, which of the following should be used to handle exceptions?

1. ApexPages.addErrorMessage()

2. A custom exception

3. .addError()

4. A try/catch construct

The correct answer is: A custom exception

Using a custom exception to handle exceptions in an Apex class is a common practice because it provides a clear and tailored way to manage specific error scenarios that can arise in your code. When you create a custom exception, you can extend the built-in Exception class, allowing you to define unique error messages and structures that fit the particular needs of your application. This level of customization ensures that when an exception occurs, you can convey the specific reasons for the failure, making debugging easier and enhancing the overall user experience. While a try/catch construct is indeed a standard approach to controlling the flow of your program during exceptions, relying solely on it without the use of custom exceptions may not provide the necessary context or clarity about the error encountered. Although other options such as .addError() and ApexPages.addErrorMessage() are useful for displaying messages to users within the context of Visualforce pages, they do not provide a method for creating comprehensive and reusable exception handling that could be leveraged throughout your application’s codebase. Custom exceptions bridge the gap by making explicit what went wrong and allowing consistent handling of such scenarios throughout your application.