What does the use of exception classes in ABAP allow you to do?

The use of exception classes in ABAP allows you to handle errors in a structured way. Exception classes provide a robust method for error handling that goes beyond traditional error handling techniques such as using flags or returning error codes. With exception classes, you can define specific exceptions that can occur within your code, allowing you to catch and respond to those exceptions in a clear and organized manner.

This structured approach enhances the readability and maintainability of your code, as it allows for the separation of error-handling logic from the main business logic. When an exception occurs, you can throw an instance of the exception class, which can then be caught by a try-catch block. This mechanism not only helps in categorizing different types of errors, making it easier to identify and address specific issues, but it also facilitates better debugging and logging practices.

In the context of performance, while structured error handling can contribute to cleaner code, it doesn't inherently improve performance. The need for comprehensive testing remains regardless of whether exceptions are used, as well as the possibility that exception handling might require additional coding for specific situations. Thus, focusing on structured error handling shows a clear advantage of using exception classes in ABAP programming.