In languages such as C++ or Java, if an exception is thrown at runtime but is not caught or handled by any exception handler in the call stack, what typically happens to the running program?

Introduction / Context:
Modern programming languages such as C plus plus and Java use exception handling to report abnormal situations at runtime. When an exceptional situation occurs, an exception object is thrown and the runtime searches for a matching catch block. If the exception is not handled anywhere, the program cannot safely continue. This question checks whether you understand what happens when an exception is left completely unhandled.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are using a language that supports structured exception handling, such as C plus plus or Java.
• An exception is thrown at runtime.
• No matching catch handler is found in any function on the call stack.
• We assume default runtime behavior without custom top level handlers.

Concept / Approach:
When an exception is thrown, the runtime performs stack unwinding, which means it unwinds function calls while looking for a suitable handler. If the search reaches the top of the stack without finding any catch block, the runtime has no way to recover. In that case, the usual behavior is to terminate the program, often after printing an error message or stack trace. The correct option should therefore describe abnormal termination of the program rather than compilation problems or silent continuation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1 Identify that the scenario is about an exception that is not processed or handled at all. Step 2 Recall that exception handling is a runtime feature, so the compiler is not directly involved when an exception is thrown. Step 3 Remember that when no catch handler is found, the runtime usually calls a default terminate function that stops the program. Step 4 Select the option that states that the program terminates abnormally and stops execution, because that matches standard behavior in C plus plus and Java.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by writing a small sample program that throws an exception without any try catch block. In C plus plus, calling throw 1 without a handler leads to a call to std::terminate and the program stops. In Java, throwing a runtime exception that is never caught results in the Java Virtual Machine printing a stack trace and terminating the application. Both cases confirm that unhandled exceptions cause program termination.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The idea that it will simply consume a lot of memory but keep running is incorrect, because the runtime must either handle the exception or terminate. Crashing the compiler is impossible, since compilation has already finished by the time exceptions occur. Saying that nothing happens and the exception is silently ignored contradicts the design of structured exception handling. Automatic conversion into a warning is also wrong because exceptions are runtime events, not compile time diagnostics.

Common Pitfalls:
A common misconception is to think that exceptions behave like log messages that can be ignored without consequence. Another pitfall is confusing compile time errors with runtime exceptions. Learners also sometimes forget that stack unwinding can release resources, and if destructors or finally blocks are not written carefully, unhandled exceptions may cause resource leaks along with termination. Understanding that unhandled exceptions cause abnormal exit encourages developers to always design appropriate top level handlers.

Final Answer:
When an exception is not processed by any handler, the usual result is that The program terminates abnormally and stops execution.