'instanceof' on 'catch' parameter

Reports cases in which an instanceof expression is used for testing the type of a parameter in a catch block.

Testing the type of catch parameters is usually better done by having separate catch blocks instead of using instanceof.

Example:

  void foo(Runnable runnable) {
    try {
        runnable.run();
    } catch (Throwable throwable) {
        if (throwable instanceof NoClassDefFoundError) { // warning: 'instanceof' on 'catch' parameter 'throwable'
            System.out.println("Class not found!");
        }
    }
  }

Locating this inspection

By ID

Can be used to locate inspection in e.g. Qodana configuration files, where you can quickly enable or disable it, or adjust its settings.

InstanceofCatchParameter

Via Settings dialog

Path to the inspection settings via IntelliJ Platform IDE Settings dialog, when you need to adjust inspection settings directly from your IDE.

Settings or Preferences | Editor | Inspections | Java | Error handling

Inspection Details
By default bundled with:	IntelliJ IDEA 2024.3, Qodana for JVM 2024.3,
Can be installed with plugin:	Java, 243.26483

01 April 2025