Need authoritative source for why you shouldn't throw or catch java.lang.Exception

Question

I\'ve got a coding standards meeting in just over an hour and I need a quick answer to this one.

Common wisdom among experienced Java programmers is that you don\'t

Answer 1

Here's something: Java Tip 134: When catching exceptions, don't cast your net too wide (JavaWorld)

Effective Java (Second Edition) by Joshua Bloch might have something on this in Chapter 9 (Exceptions), although I couldn't quickly find anything about not catching Exception.

Here is a Q&A from JavaWorld about the question (also points to Java Tip 134) - it also explains why you sometimes have to break the rule of not catching Exception or even Throwable.