What is the purpose of the 'throw' keyword in C++?

The 'throw' keyword in C++ is used to raise an exception when an error or an unexpected condition occurs during program execution. When a 'throw' statement is encountered, control is transferred to the nearest exception handler that can manage the type of exception being thrown. This mechanism allows developers to implement robust error handling in their programs, enabling them to manage runtime errors gracefully instead of letting the program crash.

In essence, using 'throw' provides a way to signal that an exceptional condition has occurred, prompting the program to take corrective measures, such as cleaning up resources or providing user feedback. This structured way of handling errors aligns with C++'s emphasis on object-oriented programming, promoting code that is both safer and more maintainable.

The other options are not relevant to the function of the 'throw' keyword in C++. Terminating the program, creating an object, or declaring a variable do not involve signaling or managing exceptions, which is the primary role of 'throw' in C++.