Python Try...Except

Handle errors gracefully.

✍️ 3 exercises + code challenge in this lesson

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When an error occurs, Python raises an exception. You can handle it instead of crashing:

try: code that may fail
except ValueError: handle a specific error
except Exception as e: handle any error and inspect it
else: runs if no error happened
finally: always runs
raise throws an exception yourself

Key Takeaways: Python Try...Except

Mastering Python Try...Except helps you write clean and reliable Python code. Follow standard conventions, test edge cases, and keep logic simple. Try running the code example below and complete the exercises to build confidence.

Python Try...Except Code Example

Python

def divide(a, b):
    try:
        result = a / b
    except ZeroDivisionError:
        return "Cannot divide by zero"
    except TypeError as e:
        return f"Wrong types: {e}"
    else:
        return result
    finally:
        print(f"divide({a!r}, {b!r}) finished")

print(divide(10, 2))
print(divide(10, 0))
print(divide("10", 2))

def set_age(age):
    if age < 0:
        raise ValueError("Age cannot be negative")
    return age

try:
    set_age(-5)
except ValueError as e:
    print("Error:", e)

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Python Try...Except Practice Exercises

Check what you learned in “Python Try...Except”.

/ 3 solved

Fill in the blank

Handle the error.

try:
    x = 1 / 0
 ZeroDivisionError:
    print("Cannot divide by zero")

✓ Correct! Not quite. Try again.

Multiple choice

Which block runs whether or not an error happened?

finally else except always

✓ Correct! Not quite. Try again.

Code challenge

Try int("abc") and print "Not a number" when a ValueError happens.

Write the code in the live editor. Your answer is checked automatically.

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Python Try...Except

💡 Key Takeaways: Python Try...Except

Python Try...Except Code Example

Python Try...Except Practice Exercises

Key Takeaways: Python Try...Except