In the context of Java exception handling, what are checked exceptions?

Checked exceptions in Java are those that must be explicitly handled by the programmer at compile time. When a method has the potential to throw a checked exception, it must either catch the exception using a try-catch block or declare it in the method signature with the throws keyword. This requirement is enforced by the Java compiler, which helps ensure that developers anticipate and manage exceptional conditions that might occur during the execution of the program.

For instance, when working with file I/O, the IOException is a checked exception that the programmer must address, as it can occur if a file is not found or cannot be opened. This design encourages robust code by making developers actively consider how to handle various error conditions.

Other types of exceptions, such as unchecked exceptions, do not have this compile-time requirement and can be more easily ignored, unlike checked exceptions which promote error handling as part of the program's logic.