Coping with abstraction in object orientation with a special focus on application errors

In this study we present and discuss various solution strategies used by students concerning error-handling. Our data is based on accumulated instruction experience gained during several years of advanced OOP course with Java. Analysis the provided solutions according to a set of categories based on constructive principles concerning software programming and on a classification of abstraction levels concerning error handling. The obtained results reveals that majority of students have difficulties in utilizing the advanced error-handling mechanism offered by modern programming languages (i.e., exception mechanism). The students have also difficulties in exhibiting high level of abstraction concerning a proper design of exceptions' hierarchy.