A software exception is an event that occurs during the execution of a program, indicating that an unexpected situation has arisen. This can happen due to various reasons, such as invalid user input, resource unavailability, or programming errors. When an exception occurs, the normal flow of the program is disrupted, and the system must handle it to prevent crashes or unintended behavior. To manage exceptions, programming languages often provide mechanisms like try-catch blocks. These allow developers to write code that can respond to exceptions gracefully, ensuring that the program can either recover from the error or provide meaningful feedback to the user. Proper exception handling is crucial for creating robust and user-friendly software.