What follows a try block in Java programming?

In Java programming, a try block includes code that may potentially throw an exception during execution. To handle any exceptions that occur within the try block, a catch block follows the try block. This catch block allows the programmer to define specific actions to be taken if an exception is thrown, making it an essential part of structured exception handling in Java.

The catch block is where you specify the type of exception you are trying to catch and how you want to handle it. This structure enhances the robustness of an application by preventing crashes and allowing developers to manage errors gracefully. For example, if a try block attempts to open a file that doesn’t exist, the catch block can handle that specific exception, providing feedback or a fallback option.

The other options – a return block, an if block, and an else block – are not part of the standard exception handling mechanism in Java. Therefore, a catch block is the definitive structure that directly follows a try block to manage exceptions effectively.