Errors and Exceptions in Python
Errors and Exceptions in Python
In Python, errors and exceptions are critical aspects of handling unexpected events and conditions
that occur during the execution of a program. Understanding how to manage these effectively can
help make your code more robust and easier to debug.
Types of Errors
1. Syntax Errors:
- Occur when the parser detects an incorrect statement.
- Example:
print("Hello, world!"
This will result in a SyntaxError because of the missing closing parenthesis.
2. Runtime Errors:
- Occur during execution and are often called exceptions.
- Example:
print(1 / 0)
This will result in a ZeroDivisionError because you cannot divide a number by zero.
Common Built-in Exceptions
1. ValueError:
- Raised when a function receives an argument of the right type but inappropriate value.
Errors and Exceptions in Python
- Example:
int("abc") # Raises ValueError
2. TypeError:
- Raised when an operation or function is applied to an object of inappropriate type.
- Example:
"2" + 2 # Raises TypeError
3. IndexError:
- Raised when a sequence subscript is out of range.
- Example:
my_list = [1, 2, 3]
my_list[5] # Raises IndexError
4. KeyError:
- Raised when a dictionary key is not found.
- Example:
my_dict = {"a": 1}
my_dict["b"] # Raises KeyError
5. FileNotFoundError:
- Raised when a file or directory is requested but doesn't exist.
- Example:
open("non_existent_file.txt") # Raises FileNotFoundError
Errors and Exceptions in Python
Handling Exceptions
Python provides a way to handle exceptions using try, except, else, and finally blocks.
- try: The block of code to be tested for errors.
- except: The block of code to be executed if an error occurs in the try block.
- else: The block of code to be executed if no error occurs.
- finally: The block of code to be executed regardless of the outcome.
Example:
try:
# Code that might raise an exception
result = 10 / 0
except ZeroDivisionError:
# Code to execute if a ZeroDivisionError occurs
print("You cannot divide by zero!")
else:
# Code to execute if no exception occurs
print("Division was successful")
finally:
# Code to execute regardless of what happens
print("This will always be executed")
Custom Exceptions
Errors and Exceptions in Python
You can also define your own exceptions by creating a new class derived from the built-in Exception
class.
Example:
class MyCustomError(Exception):
pass
def do_something():
raise MyCustomError("Something went wrong")
try:
do_something()
except MyCustomError as e:
print(e)
Summary
- Syntax Errors are detected during parsing and prevent the program from running.
- Runtime Errors (exceptions) occur during program execution.
- Common exceptions include ValueError, TypeError, IndexError, KeyError, and FileNotFoundError.
- Exceptions are handled using try, except, else, and finally blocks.
- Custom exceptions can be created by inheriting from the Exception class.
Understanding and using these concepts will help you write more reliable and maintainable Python
code.
