doubt in Exception

[Max White]

Hi,
I was trying something and came across the below scenario.

try{
//blank
}catch(SqlException s){}

When I try to compile the above code ,I get a compilation error-> Unreachable catch block..(as there is nth in the try block to throw SQLException)
But if I change the above code to

try{
//blank
}catch(Exception s){}

It compiles without any error.
Why Exception class is being given a special treatment?
Thanks.

[Sresh Rangi]

Catching exception covers RuntimeExceptions which are unchecked. In general, the compiler doesn't know what unchecked exceptions can be thrown in the try block, so it can't warn you about unreachable catch blocks involving them.

[Seetharaman Venkatasamy]

Sresh Rangi is right.

but compiler is not that smart in 2nd case though ;)