Can I create a global exception handler in C# that lets the code continue running afterward?

Question

In .NET, the default exception handler will let the user continue running the program. However, I'd like to have a global exception handler that saves the stack trace to an "errorlog.txt" file so the user can send it to me and doesn't have to remember to click "Details" and copy it out of the dialog (and remove all the useless crap about loaded assemblies and such). But when I do this, the code doesn't know how to continue, so all I can do is exit the app. Is there any way to have the best of both worlds? (Yes, I know what I'm asking for is essentially "On Error Resume Next" with logging, but I really think it would be useful!)

Answer 1

AppDomain.CurrentDomain.UnhandledException += new UnhandledExceptionEventHandler(CurrentDomain_UnhandledException);

If you bind yourself to this event when the application starts, you should be able to catch any Unhandled Exception your application throws, and save it to a file. (Use the Exception object part of the UnhandledExceptionEventArgs. I do not believe it is possible to resume from where the error Occurred.

Answer 2

You can write a global exception handler method that you call in every catch block, which writes the stack trace where ever you want to save it. But you'd need to write try . . . catch blocks for every operation that needs them and call the exception handler in each.

You can also call that global exception handler method in the MyApplication.UnhandledException handler for all unhandled events. But when control gets to that method in that case, the program is not going to continue running.

Answer 3

No that does not exist, exceptions are a flow control construct, so On Error Resume Next is not possible.

You could do your operation in a loop and on an exception, retry your logic.

KandallFrey is right however, you shouldn't use exceptions as flow control, use them only in exceptional cases.