What is a checked exception? How is it different from an unchecked exception?

A checked exception is an exception that must be either caught or declared in the method signature using throws. These exceptions are typically used for recoverable conditions, like IOException.

An unchecked exception (also known as a runtime exception) does not require explicit handling or declaration. They usually indicate programming bugs, such as NullPointerException.

Key difference:

• Checked exceptions are enforced by the compiler to be handled.
• Unchecked exceptions are not required to be handled or declared.