Checked exceptions are checked at compile-time and must be handled. Unchecked exceptions are checked at runtime and don't require handling. Errors are serious problems not meant to be caught by applications
Null returns provide no context about the problem. Null can be ambiguous in certain contexts like subscription management. Null can mask long-running problems that appear to be working. Null can be interpreted as 0 in calculations, leading to incorrect results
Exceptions indicate program execution errors that disrupt normal flow. Java runtime automatically stops method execution when exception occurs. Exception objects contain information about error and stack trace
Except introduces excluded things or prevents complete statement truth. Can be used with "except for" to indicate exclusivity. Functions as archaic "unless" and informal "except that". Has verb form "to take exception"
"Other than" indicates exception or exclusion from a general statement. Functions as both preposition and conjunction in sentences. Has been used since Middle English centuries
ExceptionInInitializerError indicates unexpected exception in static initializer. Java automatically wraps all exceptions in this class with root cause reference