What are the differences between exceptions and return codes in error handling?

Exceptions are a way of signaling errors that can be caught and handled in specific blocks of code. Return codes are simple integer values returned from a function, indicating success (usually 0) or failure (a non-zero value). Exceptions are generally preferred for more complex errors, while return codes are suitable for simple error indicators. Exceptions allow for more sophisticated error handling, whereas return codes are more straightforward.