What are try/catch exceptions for?

[CrimpJiggler]

I'm trying to figure out what the point in using try exceptions is. I recently learned about then and up until now, I've just used if statements. For example, lets say I wanna save an uploaded file to the server. Heres the code I use:

 

if (move_uploaded_file($_FILES["file"]["tmp_name"], "uploads/" . $_FILES["file"]["name"]))
{
echo "File saved. "</p>";
}
else { echo "The file could not be saved"; }

 

instead I could use:

try
{
move_uploaded_file($_FILES["file"]["tmp_name"], "uploads//" . $_FILES["file"]["name"])) {
}
catch (Exception $e)
{
throw new Exception( 'File could not be uploaded', 0, $e);
}

 

but is there any point? Does exception handling give me any advantage over regular if statements? Also, I don't know how that $e variable works, does it store the type of error that occured or something? If so, would it store any info in this case? i.e. would it tell me why the file couldn't be saved?

[kicken]

Read through this thread and see if it helps clear things up:

When To Use Try-Catch Exceptions

 

If you still have questions or something is confusing post back.