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Code along and learn about the errors in JavaScript. We'll cover the different types of built-in errors in JavaScript, how to make and throw our own error objects, and how to handle these errors to allow our program to continue running! 

Learn JavaScript: Error Handling

In the previous exercise we caught an error that we threw, but we can also use a  `try...catch` statement to handle built-in errors that are thrown by the _JavaScript engine_ that is reading and evaluating our code. 

```js
const someVar = 'Cannot be reassigned';
try {
  someVar = 'Still going to try';
} catch(e) {
  console.log(e);
}
// Prints: TypeError: Assignment to constant variable.
```

In the example above, we didn't use the `throw` keyword to throw a custom error, rather we tried to re-assign a `const` variable and a `TypeError` was thrown. Then, in our `catch` block, we logged the error to the console.

Using a `try...catch` statement for built-in JavaScript errors is really beneficial when we need to use data from an external source that's not written directly in our program. 

Let's say we expect to grab an array from a database but the information we get back is a string. In our program, we could have a function that only works on arrays. If that function was called with a string instead of an array we would get an error and our program would stop running! 

However, we can use a `try...catch` statement to handle the thrown error for us which allows our program to continue running and we receive a message knowing what went wrong! Let's see how we can implement this in our code.



Handling with try...catch

Creating an error doesn't cause our program to stop &mdash; remember, an error must be thrown for it to halt the program. 

To throw an error in JavaScript, we use the `throw` keyword like so: 

```js
throw Error('Something wrong happened');
// Error: Something wrong happened
```

When we use the `throw` keyword, the error is thrown and code after the `throw` statement will not execute. Take for example:

```js
throw Error('Something wrong happened');
// Error: Something wrong happened

console.log('This will never run');
```
After `throw Error('Something wrong happened');` is executed and the error object is thrown, the `console.log()` statement will not run (just like when a built-in JavaScript error was thrown!).  

In the next lesson we will cover how to handle an error so that the rest of our code can run! 


The throw Keyword

Up to this point, thrown errors have caused our program to stop running. But, we have the ability to anticipate and _handle_  these errors by writing code to address the error and allow our program to continue running.

In JavaScript, we use `try...catch` statement to anticipate and handle errors. Take a look at example below:

```js
try {
  throw Error('This error will get caught');
} catch (e) {
  console.log(e);
}
// Prints: This error will get caught

console.log('The thrown error that was caught in the try...catch statement!');
// Prints: 'The thrown error that was caught in the try...catch statement!'
```
Now, let's break down what happened in the `try...catch` statement above:
* We have code that follows `try` inside curly braces `{}` known as the _`try` block_. 
* Inside the `try` block we insert code that we anticipate might throw an error. 
* Since we want to see what happens if an error is thrown in the `try` block, we throw an error with the message `'This error will get caught'`. 
* Following the `try` block is the `catch` statement which accepts the thrown error from the `try` block . The `e` represents the thrown error. 
* The curly braces that follow `catch(e)` is known as the _catch block_ and contains code that executes to handle the error. 
* Since the error is caught, our `console.log()` after the `try...catch` statement prints `'The thrown error that was caught in the try...catch statement!'`.

Generally speaking, in a `try...catch` statement, we evaluate code in the `try` block and if the code throws an error, the code inside the `catch` block will handle the error for us. The provided example just showcases how a `try...catch` statement works because we know an error is being thrown. Let's first practice writing our own `try...catch` statement and afterwards we will go over a more practical usage of `try...catch`. 


The try...catch Statement

Great job with handling errors!

In this lesson we went over:
* How mistakes in programming leads to errors.
* Why errors are useful for developers.
* Errors will prevent a program from executing unless it is handled.
* How to create an error using the `Error()` function.
* How to throw an error object using the `throw` keyword.
* How to use the `try...catch` statement to handle thrown errors. 
* Evaluating code in a `try` block to anticipate errors.
* Catching the error in a `catch` block to allow our program to continue running.
* Why the `try...catch` statement would be useful in a program. 

Now you have the ability to create code that doesn't break when an error is thrown! 



Error Handling Review

There are two categories of programming mistakes: those that don't prevent our code from running and those that do. 

Sometimes, we've written code that successfully returns a value but a different value from what we expected. Our program continues running, and we might not even realize anything went wrong until much later. It's like making soup and accidentally adding sugar instead of salt. In the end we still have soup, but it might not be soup that we want to eat. We will not be focusing on these mistakes.

Rather, we're going to focus on the errors that pop up when we've written code that causes our program to stop running, e.g. trying to reassign a `const` variable. Instead of returning anything, our program will not execute any more code past where the error occurred. For example, what if we tried to move our soup to the table but dropped it because it was too hot? Then our soup-making process is over— there would be no soup.

We can't always stop errors before they occur, but we can include a backup plan in our program to anticipate and respond to the errors to ensure that our program continues running. _Error handling_ is the process of programmatically anticipating and addressing errors. In JavaScript, we handle errors using the keywords `try` and `catch`. We `try` to move the soup to the table, making sure there's someone or something nearby to `catch` the soup in case we drop it.

In this lesson we'll learn more about errors and how to create a backup plan to allow our program to continue running. When you're ready, let's _try_ to get a _handle_ on these JavaScript errors! 


Introduction to Error Handling

JavaScript errors are objects that have a name and message property. Previously, we've seen how built-in errors alert us about common mistakes in our code. But, what if we need an error message that isn't covered by the built-in errors? Let's say we need to inform a user that a string passed in as an argument is too short with a custom message.  Such a message isn't covered by a built-in error, but we could use the `Error` function to make our own error object with a message that is unique to our program! 

```js
console.log(Error('Your password is too weak.'));
// Prints: Error: Your password is too weak.
```
The `Error` function takes an argument of a string which becomes the value of the error's `message` property. In the code snippet above, we used the `Error` function to create an error object that has the message `'Your password is too weak.'`. 

You might also see errors created with the `new` keyword. Both methods will lead to the same functionality. Take a look: 

```js
console.log(new Error('Your password is too weak.'));
// Prints: Error: Your password is too weak.
```

Keep in mind that creating an error is not the same as throwing an error. A thrown error will cause the program to stop running. We cover how to throw our created errors in the next exercise! 


Constructing an Error

Errors contain useful messages that tell us why our program isn't working or why the error was _thrown_. When an error is thrown, our program stops running and the console displays the error message in red text like so:

<img src="https://content.codecademy.com/courses/learn-javascript-error-handling/error_diagram.svg" width="100%"> 

When we execute code and a line of code throws an error, that error is referred to as a _runtime error_.  In JavaScript, there are built-in error objects that have a `name` and `message` property which tell us what went wrong. Examples of built-in runtime errors include:
* `ReferenceError`: when a variable or function cannot be found.
* `TypeError`: when a value is not a valid type, see the example below:

```js
const reminder = 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle';
reminder = 'Save the world';
// TypeError: Assignment to constant variable.
console.log('This will never be printed!');
```

In the example above, when we try to reassign a constant variable `reminder`, the `TypeError` is thrown. Code that is written after a thrown runtime error will not be evaluated, so the `console.log()` statement will not be evaluated. 

Let's see for ourselves what happens when a runtime error is thrown. 
 
