Do you really need the 'finally' block

Question

There are 3 permutations of a try...catch...finally block in java.

1. try...catch
2. try...catch...finally
3. try...finally

Once the finally block is executed, control goes to the next line after the finally block. If I remove the finally block and move all its statements to the line after the try...catch block, would that have the same effect as having them in the finally block?

Answer 1

I know this is a very old question but I came across today and I was confused by the answers given. I mean, they are all correct but all answer on a theoretical or even philosophical level when there is a very straightforward practical answer to this question.

If you put a return, break, continue or any other java keyword that changes the sequential execution of code inside the catch block (or even try block), the statements inside the finally block will still be executed.

For example:

public void myFunc() {      double p = 1.0D;     String str = "bla";     try{         p = Double.valueOf(str);     }     catch(Exception ex){         System.out.println("Exception Happened");         return;  //return statement here!!!     }finally{         System.out.println("Finally");     }     System.out.println("After finally"); } 

when executed this code will print:

Exception Happened  Finally 

That is the most important reason for the existence of a finally block. Most answers imply it or refer to it on the sidelines but none of them is putting emphasis on it. I think because this is kind of a newbie question such a straightforward answer is very important.