#913 – How to Document that a Method Can Throw an Exception

You can use XML Documentation to document the fact that a method can throw an exception.  You use the Exception tag to indicate the type of exception that can be thrown.  You can also provide a comment related to the exception, which will show up in an XML Documentation file that you generate.

        /// <summary>
        /// Print somebody's name
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="name">Name to be printed</param>
        /// <exception cref="ApplicationException">Will throw exception if name is Mortimer</exception>
        /// <exception cref="JustBecauseException">I throw this exception on Tuesdays</exception>
        static void PrintMyName(string name)
        {
            if (name.ToLower().Equals("mortimer"))
                throw new ApplicationException("I don't like the name Mortimer");

            if (DateTime.Now.DayOfWeek == DayOfWeek.Tuesday)
                throw new JustBecauseException("Tuesday is my day off");

            Console.WriteLine(string.Format("Your name is {0}", name));
        }

Intellisense will now include a list of the exceptions that might be thrown, when displaying the method’s name.

If you generate a XML Documentation file, it will also include this information.