java - When is it OK to catch a RuntimeException

Question

On a recent project I recommended catching a RuntimeException within a test harness code and logging it. The code processes a series of inputs from a database, and I do not want the test to stop due to failure of any one input (Null values, Illegal arguments, etc.). Needless to say, my suggestion triggered a passionate discussion.

Is catching any kind of RuntimeException acceptable? If yes, what are other scenarios where it is OK to catch RuntimeExceptions?

Answer 1

You catch RuntimeException for the same reason that you catch any exception: You plan to do something with it. Perhaps you can correct whatever caused the exception. Perhaps you simply want to re-throw with a different exception type.

Catching and ignoring any exception, however, is extremely bad practice.