Function try blocks, but not in constructors

Question

just a quick question. Is there any difference between

void f(Foo x) try
{
   ...
}
catch(exception& e)
{
   ...
}

and

void f(Foo x)
{
    try { ... }
    catch (exception& e)
    {
        ...
    }
}

?

If no, why are function try blocks for (the case of initialization lists for constructors being put aside) ? What happens if the copy constructor of Foo throws an exception when x is passed to f ?

Answer 1

Function try blocks are only ever needed in constructors. In all other cases exactly the same effect can be achieved by enclosing the entire body of the function in a normal try/catch block.

If the copy constructor used to initialize a parameter throws an exception this happens before the function call. It cannot be caught by a function try block or exceptional handler in the function as the function doesn't get called.

Answer 2

Some things are allowed because it would be harder to disallow them. Allowing function try blocks on some, but not all function bodies would make the grammar and compilers more complicated.