c# - Why does Try-Catch require curly braces

Question

Just curious: Why is the syntax for try catch in C# (Java also?) hard coded for multiple statements? Why doesn't the language allow:

int i;
string s = DateTime.Now.Seconds % 2 == 1 ? "1" : "not 1";
try
   i = int.Parse(s);
catch
   i = 0;

The example is for trivial purposes only. I know there's int.TryParse.

Answer 1

Consider the fact that there are really three (or more) code blocks in play here:

try {}
catch (myexcption)
{}
catch (myotherexception)
{}
finally
{}

Keep in mind that these are in the scope of a larger context and the exceptions not caught are potentually caught further up the stack.

Note that this is basically the same thing as a class construct that also has the {} structure.

Say for instance you might have:

try
try
if (iAmnotsane)
beatMe(please);
catch (Exception myexception)
catch (myotherexception)
logerror("howdy")
finally

NOW does that second catch belong to the first or the second try? What about the finally? SO you see the optional/multiple portions make the requirement.