case where code never gets to clear() [duplicate]

Question

try {
    if (check) {
        while (true) ;
    } else {
        System.exit(1);
    }
} finally {
    clear();
}

Q: Is there a case where clear() never gets executed? I personally feel that there are no cases where clear() will not be executed.

Answer 1

If System.exit succeeds, the clear() will not be executed. However, System.exit(1) could throw SecurityException exception, in which case clear() will be executed.

Answer 2

If check is true, then you are stuck in an infinite loop, in which case you never technically get to the finally block.

Else if check is false, then System.exit(1); is executed and your program terminates; in which case it never gets to the finally block to execute clear().

In this example, it is actually not possible to reach clear()