What is the point of the finally block?

Question

Syntax aside, what is the difference between

try {
}
catch() {
}
finally {
    x = 3;
}

and

try {
}
catch() {
}

x = 3;
         


        

Answer 1

The finally block will always be called (well not really always ... ) even if an exception is thrown or a return statement is reached (although that may be language dependent). It's a way to clean up that you know will always be called.