Exception: An error that happens while a program runs and interrupts its normal flow, such as reading a missing file or using a null value.
Example
Your code throws a NullPointerException because a customer record wasn’t found.
Why Exception matters for IT interns
The exception message and stack trace tell you where things went wrong. Read them before searching online.
Where you will hear it
You will hear this term in development teams, in code reviews and technical discussions, and in technical interviews. If someone uses it and you are not sure what they mean in your project, it is completely fine to ask; every team uses terms a little differently.
Related terms
- Deployment: Moving a new version of software onto the servers or environment where it runs, so people can use it.
- Development Environment: The setup where developers build and try out code — usually their own machine plus shared development servers.
- Error Handling: Writing code that deals with expected problems gracefully — showing a useful message, retrying or logging the…
- Framework: A ready-made structure for building applications that decides how your code is organised and provides common…
- Frontend: The part of an application users see and interact with — screens, buttons and forms — usually built with…
- Full Stack: Working on both the frontend and the backend of an application.
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Related guides
- Which Technology Should I Learn for an IT Internship?
- Frontend vs Backend for an Internship
- Technical Interview Questions for Freshers
Frequently asked questions
What is Exception?
An error that happens while a program runs and interrupts its normal flow, such as reading a missing file or using a null value.
What is an example of Exception?
Your code throws a NullPointerException because a customer record wasn’t found.
Why does Exception matter for IT interns?
The exception message and stack trace tell you where things went wrong. Read them before searching online.
Explore more internship terms
The IT Internship Glossary explains 199 terms you will hear before and during your internship, with simple definitions and real examples.
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About the author
Dhaivat has 16+ years of experience in the IT industry, working on AI and cloud technologies, project delivery, and engineering leadership. He has interviewed and mentored many interns, wrote The Lost Intern, and runs the non-commercial Career Impact Initiative, mentoring students for free.