Solve this multiple-choice question and choose the correct option.

When you call a database stored procedure from Java, how can you handle error conditions and propagate them back to the application code?

Difficulty: Medium

By using try catch blocks around JDBC calls, checking SQLState or error codes in SQLException, and designing the stored procedure to return status codes or raise exceptions.
By ignoring all SQLExceptions, because the database always rolls back automatically and no explicit handling is required.
By throwing only NullPointerException from inside the stored procedure so that Java can catch it directly.
By closing the database connection in the finally block without logging or inspecting any error information.
By catching only runtime exceptions in Java and ignoring all checked exceptions from JDBC.

Correct Answer: By using try catch blocks around JDBC calls, checking SQLState or error codes in SQLException, and designing the stored procedure to return status codes or raise exceptions.

Explanation:

Introduction / Context:

Many enterprise applications use stored procedures for complex database logic. Correctly handling errors that occur inside those procedures is critical for reliability and troubleshooting. Java code that calls stored procedures through JDBC must interpret error information and propagate meaningful messages or status back to higher layers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Java accesses the database using JDBC and CallableStatement or similar APIs.
Stored procedures may fail due to business rules or technical issues.
JDBC methods can throw SQLException when problems occur.

Concept / Approach:

A robust approach combines careful stored procedure design with structured exception handling in Java. Stored procedures can signal errors using return codes, output parameters, or database specific exceptions. On the Java side, code should catch SQLException, inspect SQLState and vendor specific error codes, log relevant details, and map them to application level exceptions. Transactions should be managed with commit and rollback so that partial changes do not persist in case of failure.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Wrap JDBC calls that execute the stored procedure in try catch blocks. Step 2: In the catch block, examine SQLException, including message, SQLState, and vendor code. Step 3: Use this information to decide whether to roll back the transaction and how to classify the error. Step 4: Optionally map SQL errors to custom application exceptions with clearer messages for upper layers. Step 5: In the stored procedure, return status codes or raise database exceptions that Java can detect through SQLException.

Verification / Alternative check:

By intentionally triggering a known error condition in a test stored procedure and observing how the Java code logs and reports it, a team can verify that errors are captured and translated correctly. Automated tests can assert that the correct application exception type is thrown for specific database error codes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option B is wrong because ignoring SQLExceptions hides real failures and makes debugging difficult. Option C is wrong because database stored procedures do not throw Java exceptions directly; they use database exception mechanisms. Option D is wrong because closing connections without inspecting errors loses important diagnostic information. Option E is wrong because SQLExceptions are checked exceptions that must be handled or declared; ignoring them is unsafe.

Common Pitfalls:

A frequent mistake is to catch SQLException and then swallow it, returning a generic success status that hides the problem. Another pitfall is mixing business errors with technical errors without clear mapping, which confuses callers. Good practice is to log detailed technical data while exposing clear, high level messages to the rest of the application.

Final Answer:

The correct choice is By using try catch blocks around JDBC calls, checking SQLState or error codes in SQLException, and designing the stored procedure to return status codes or raise exceptions. because this approach combines database level signaling with disciplined error handling in Java.

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