What is java.lang.Error? How does it differ from Exception?

java.lang.Error is a class in Java that represents serious errors occurring in the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), such as memory errors (OutOfMemoryError) or JVM errors (VirtualMachineError). Such errors are usually not handled by the application because they indicate problems that are impossible or unadvisable to fix programmatically.

Exception is a class representing exceptions that can be handled in code. Exceptions are divided into checked and unchecked. Checked exceptions require mandatory handling or declaration in the method signature.

Main difference:

• Error signals serious JVM problems that are usually not handled.
• Exception are exceptions that the application can and should handle for correct operation.

Example:

try {
    // code that may throw an exception
} catch (Exception e) {
    // handle the exception
}
// Usually, errors of type Error are not caught