else and finally
- Python course
- Beginner
- Lesson 101/116
- 4 min
Learn else and finally blocks.
else and finally
The else block runs only when try does NOT raise an error. The finally block always runs — error or not:
try:
x = 10 / 2
except ZeroDivisionError:
print("sıfıra bölme")
else:
print(x) # 5.0
finally:
print("bitti") # alwayselse runs code when try succeeds. finally is used for cleanup (closing files, releasing resources).
Both are optional, but finally is the safest block.
Difference between else and finally
else runs only if try succeeds — it is skipped on error. finally runs whether or not an error occurs:
# no error: else + finally
# error: except + finally (else is SKIPPED)Put success-dependent code in else (e.g. printing the result). Put code that must always run in finally (e.g. closing a file).
This separation cleanly distinguishes cleanup from success code.
Practice try/else/finally together
Inside a try block write result = 10 / 2. Inside an except ZeroDivisionError: block write print("hata"). Inside an else: block write print(result). Inside a finally: block write print("bitti").
Starter code
# write try/except/else/finally
# successful division and cleanupSample solution
try:
result = 10 / 2
except ZeroDivisionError:
print("hata")
else:
print(result)
finally:
print("bitti")Expected output
5.0 bitti
Questions and answers
Review the lesson questions together with their answers. To test yourself, solve the lesson interactively.
1 Complete the finally keyword
try:
x = 10 / 2
____:
print("bitti")try:
x = 10 / 2
finally:
print("bitti")Explanation: The finally block always runs.
2 Match else/finally
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
else |
Runs if no error |
finally |
Always runs |
except |
Runs on error |
try |
Protected code |
3 When does the else block run?
- Always
- Only on error
- Only when no error Correct answer
- Never
Explanation: else runs only when the try block does not raise an error.