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Handouts Lecture8 1

This document discusses exceptions in Python. It defines exceptions as unexpected conditions that arise during program execution. Common exception types include IndexError, TypeError, and NameError. The document recommends raising exceptions instead of silently failing or returning error values when exceptions occur. It describes how to use try/except blocks to catch and handle exceptions, and how else and finally clauses work with exception handling.

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71 views8 pages

Handouts Lecture8 1

This document discusses exceptions in Python. It defines exceptions as unexpected conditions that arise during program execution. Common exception types include IndexError, TypeError, and NameError. The document recommends raising exceptions instead of silently failing or returning error values when exceptions occur. It describes how to use try/except blocks to catch and handle exceptions, and how else and finally clauses work with exception handling.

Uploaded by

spamhoel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is an exception?

What happens when procedure execution hits an


unexpected condition?
Trying to access beyond the limits of a list will raise an
IndexError
Test = [1,2,3]
Test[4]

Trying to convert an inappropriate type will raise a TypeError


Int(Test)

Referencing a non-existing variable will raise a NameError


a

Mixing data types without appropriate coercion will raise a


TypeError
a/4

These are exceptions exceptions to what was expected

What to do with exceptions?


What to do when procedure execution is stymied by
an error condition?
Fail silently: substitute default values, continue
Bad idea! User gets no indication results may be suspect

Return an error value


What value to chose? None?
Callers must include code to check for this special value and deal
with consequences cascade of error values up the call tree

Stop execution, signal error condition


In Python: raise an exception
raise Exception(descriptive string)

Dealing with exceptions


Python code can provide handlers for exceptions
try:
f = open(grades.txt)
# code to read and process grades
except:
raise Exception(Cant open grades file)

Exceptions raised by statements in body of try are


handled by the except statement and execution
continues with the body of the except statement

Handling specific exceptions


Usually the handler is only meant to deal with a
particular type of exception. Sometimes we
need to clean up before continuing.
try:
f = open(grades.txt)
# code to read and process grades
except IOerror,e:
print Cant open grades file: + str(e)
sys.exit(0)
except ArithmeticError,e:
raise ValueError(Bug in grades calculation +
str(e))

Types of exceptions
Already seen common error types:
SyntaxError: Python cant parse program
NameError: local or global name not found
AttributeError: attribute reference fails
TypeError: operand doesnt have correct type
ValueError: operand type okay, but value is illegal
IOError: IO system reports malfunction (e.g. file
not found)

Other extensions to try


else:
Body of this clause is executed when execution of
associated try body completes with no exceptions

finally:
Body of this clause is always executed after try,
else and except clauses, even if they raised
another error or executed a break, continue or
return
Useful for clean-up code that should be run no matter
what else happened (e.g. close file)

An example
def divide(x, y):
try:
result = x / y
except ZeroDivisionError, e:
print "division by zero! " + str(e)
else:
print "result is", result
finally:
print "executing finally clause"

An example, revised
def divideNew(x, y):
try:
result = x / y
except ZeroDivisionError, e:
print "division by zero! " + str(e)
except TypeError:
divideNew(int(x), int(y))
else:
print "result is", result
finally:
print "executing finally clause"

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