Arizona State University (ASU) CSE100 Principles of Programming with C++ Midterm 1 Practice Exam

The `throw` keyword in C++ is used to signal that an exception has occurred. When an error or unexpected behavior is detected in the program, the `throw` statement allows you to generate an exception object that represents the error condition. This exception can then be caught and handled by surrounding code that is set up with a `try` block and a corresponding `catch` block.

This mechanism is part of C++'s exception handling framework, providing a way to separate error handling logic from regular code. By using `throw`, you can effectively manage error conditions and allow a program to continue running or to terminate gracefully by managing exceptional situations in a controlled manner.

In contrast, the other options refer to different functionalities in C++. For instance, defining a new variable type is accomplished through type declaration, not the `throw` keyword. Similarly, indicating the end of a function is done using a return statement, while initiating a loop structure requires keywords like `for`, `while`, or `do`. Understanding the specific role of `throw` helps clarify how C++ manages exceptions and why it is a critical part of robust programming practices.