What are the differences between using trigger_error and throwing an Exception in PHP?

Using trigger_error in PHP allows you to generate a user-level error message, while throwing an Exception allows you to create a custom exception object that can be caught and handled by try-catch blocks. Trigger_error is typically used for non-fatal errors, while throwing an Exception is more suitable for exceptional situations that require immediate attention.

// Using trigger_error
trigger_error("This is a user-level error message", E_USER_NOTICE);

// Throwing an Exception
try {
    throw new Exception("This is a custom exception message");
} catch (Exception $e) {
    echo "Caught exception: " . $e->getMessage();
}