Add explanation of why the when contextual keyword is better than if/else in catch blocks

docs/csharp/language-reference/keywords/when.md

@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ catch (ExceptionType [e]) when (expr)
 
 where *expr* is an expression that evaluates to a Boolean value. If it returns `true`, the exception handler executes; if `false`, it does not.
 
+Exception filters with the `when` keyword provide several advantages over traditional exception handling approaches, including better debugging support and performance benefits. For a detailed explanation of how exception filters preserve the call stack and improve debugging, see [Exception filters vs. traditional exception handling](../statements/exception-handling-statements.md#exception-filters-vs-traditional-exception-handling).
+
 The following example uses the `when` keyword to conditionally execute handlers for an <xref:System.Net.Http.HttpRequestException> depending on the text of the exception message.
 
 [!code-csharp[when-with-catch](~/samples/snippets/csharp/language-reference/keywords/when/catch.cs)]

docs/csharp/language-reference/statements/exception-handling-statements.md

@@ -95,6 +95,42 @@ You can provide several `catch` clauses for the same exception type if they dist
 
 If a `catch` clause has an exception filter, it can specify the exception type that is the same as or less derived than an exception type of a `catch` clause that appears after it. For example, if an exception filter is present, a `catch (Exception e)` clause doesn't need to be the last clause.
 
+##### Exception filters vs. traditional exception handling
+
+Exception filters provide significant advantages over traditional exception handling approaches. The key difference is **when** the exception handling logic is evaluated:
+
+- **Exception filters (`when`)**: The filter expression is evaluated *before* the stack is unwound. This means the original call stack and all local variables remain intact during filter evaluation.
+- **Traditional `catch` blocks**: The stack is unwound *before* entering the catch block, potentially losing valuable debugging information.
+
+Here's a comparison showing the difference:
+
+:::code language="csharp" source="snippets/exception-handling-statements/WhenFilterExamples.cs" id="ExceptionFilterVsIfElse":::
+
+**Advantages of exception filters:**
+
+1. **Better debugging experience**: Since the stack isn't unwound until a filter matches, debuggers can show the original point of failure with all local variables intact.
+
+2. **Performance benefits**: If no filter matches, the exception continues propagating without the overhead of stack unwinding and restoration.
+
+3. **Cleaner code**: Multiple filters can handle different conditions of the same exception type without requiring nested if-else statements.
+
+4. **Logging and diagnostics**: You can examine and log exception details before deciding whether to handle the exception:
+
+:::code language="csharp" source="snippets/exception-handling-statements/WhenFilterExamples.cs" id="DebuggingAdvantageExample":::
+
+**When to use exception filters:**
+
+Use exception filters when you need to:
+
+- Handle exceptions based on specific conditions or properties
+- Preserve the original call stack for debugging
+- Log or examine exceptions before deciding whether to handle them
+- Handle the same exception type differently based on context
+
+:::code language="csharp" source="snippets/exception-handling-statements/WhenFilterExamples.cs" id="MultipleConditionsExample":::
+
+The exception filter approach is particularly valuable in production applications where preserving debugging information is crucial for diagnosing issues.
+
 #### Exceptions in async and iterator methods
 
 If an exception occurs in an [async function](../keywords/async.md), it propagates to the caller of the function when you [await](../operators/await.md) the result of the function, as the following example shows:

docs/csharp/language-reference/statements/snippets/exception-handling-statements/WhenFilterExamples.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.IO;
+
+namespace ExceptionFilterExamples
+{
+    public static class WhenFilterExamples
+    {
+        // <ExceptionFilterVsIfElse>
+        public static void DemonstrateStackUnwindingDifference()
+        {
+            var localVariable = "Important debugging info";
+
+            try
+            {
+                ProcessWithExceptionFilter(localVariable);
+            }
+            catch (InvalidOperationException ex) when (ex.Message.Contains("filter"))
+            {
+                // Exception filter: Stack not unwound yet
+                // localVariable is still accessible in debugger
+                // Call stack shows original throwing location
+                Console.WriteLine($"Caught with filter: {ex.Message}");
+                Console.WriteLine($"Local variable accessible: {localVariable}");
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                ProcessWithTraditionalCatch(localVariable);
+            }
+            catch (InvalidOperationException ex)
+            {
+                // Traditional catch: Stack already unwound
+                // Some debugging information may be lost
+                if (ex.Message.Contains("traditional"))
+                {
+                    Console.WriteLine($"Caught with if: {ex.Message}");
+                    Console.WriteLine($"Local variable accessible: {localVariable}");
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    throw; // Re-throws and further modifies stack trace
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static void ProcessWithExceptionFilter(string context)
+        {
+            throw new InvalidOperationException($"Exception for filter demo: {context}");
+        }
+
+        private static void ProcessWithTraditionalCatch(string context)
+        {
+            throw new InvalidOperationException($"Exception for traditional demo: {context}");
+        }
+        // </ExceptionFilterVsIfElse>
+
+        // <MultipleConditionsExample>
+        public static void HandleFileOperations(string filePath)
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                // Simulate file operation that might fail
+                ProcessFile(filePath);
+            }
+            catch (IOException ex) when (ex.Message.Contains("access denied"))
+            {
+                Console.WriteLine("File access denied. Check permissions.");
+            }
+            catch (IOException ex) when (ex.Message.Contains("not found"))
+            {
+                Console.WriteLine("File not found. Verify the path.");
+            }
+            catch (IOException ex) when (IsNetworkPath(filePath))
+            {
+                Console.WriteLine($"Network file operation failed: {ex.Message}");
+            }
+            catch (IOException)
+            {
+                Console.WriteLine("Other I/O error occurred.");
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static void ProcessFile(string filePath)
+        {
+            // Simulate different types of file exceptions
+            if (filePath.Contains("denied"))
+                throw new IOException("File access denied");
+            if (filePath.Contains("missing"))
+                throw new IOException("File not found");
+            if (IsNetworkPath(filePath))
+                throw new IOException("Network timeout occurred");
+        }
+
+        private static bool IsNetworkPath(string path)
+        {
+            return path.StartsWith(@"\\") || path.StartsWith("http");
+        }
+        // </MultipleConditionsExample>
+
+        // <DebuggingAdvantageExample>
+        public static void DemonstrateDebuggingAdvantage()
+        {
+            var contextData = new Dictionary<string, object>
+            {
+                ["RequestId"] = Guid.NewGuid(),
+                ["UserId"] = "user123",
+                ["Timestamp"] = DateTime.Now
+            };
+
+            try
+            {
+                // Simulate a deep call stack
+                Level1Method(contextData);
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex) when (LogAndFilter(ex, contextData))
+            {
+                // This catch block may never execute if LogAndFilter returns false
+                // But LogAndFilter can examine the exception while the stack is intact
+                Console.WriteLine("Exception handled after logging");
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static void Level1Method(Dictionary<string, object> context)
+        {
+            Level2Method(context);
+        }
+
+        private static void Level2Method(Dictionary<string, object> context)
+        {
+            Level3Method(context);
+        }
+
+        private static void Level3Method(Dictionary<string, object> context)
+        {
+            throw new InvalidOperationException("Error in deep call stack");
+        }
+
+        private static bool LogAndFilter(Exception ex, Dictionary<string, object> context)
+        {
+            // This method runs before stack unwinding
+            // Full call stack and local variables are still available
+            Console.WriteLine($"Exception occurred: {ex.Message}");
+            Console.WriteLine($"Request ID: {context["RequestId"]}");
+            Console.WriteLine($"Full stack trace preserved: {ex.StackTrace}");
+
+            // Return true to handle the exception, false to continue search
+            return ex.Message.Contains("deep call stack");
+        }
+        // </DebuggingAdvantageExample>
+    }
+}