Definition: Exception handling in Python refers to the process of dealing with runtime errors and exceptional situations in a controlled and graceful manner. It involves anticipating possible errors, handling them, and allowing the program to continue its execution or gracefully terminate.
Importance:
Types of Exception Handling:
Try-Except Blocks:
Encloses code that might raise an exception, and specifies how to handle it.
try:
result = 10 / 0 # Potential division by zero
except ZeroDivisionError as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
Multiple Except Blocks:
Handles different types of exceptions separately.
try:
value = int("abc") # Potential ValueError
except ValueError as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
except Exception as e:
print(f"Unexpected error: {e}")
Else Block:
Code in this block runs if no exceptions occur.
try:
result = 10 / 2
except ZeroDivisionError as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
else:
print("Division successful.")
Finally Block:
Code in this block always runs, whether an exception occurs or not.
try:
result = 10 / 2
except ZeroDivisionError as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
finally:
print("This will always be executed.")
Common Tools and Methods:
try
:
Encloses the code that might raise an exception.
except
:
Specifies how to handle a particular type of exception.
else
:
Contains code to be executed if no exceptions occur.
finally
:
Contains code that always runs, whether an exception occurs or not.
Common Method:
The most common method for handling exceptions is using the
try-except
block. It allows developers to anticipate potential errors and gracefully handle them, preventing the program from crashing.
try:
result = 10 / 0 # Potential division by zero
except ZeroDivisionError as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
Exception handling is a critical aspect of writing robust and reliable Python programs, ensuring they can gracefully handle unexpected situations.