Using else in Python Exception Handling

In Python, the else block can be added after try and except blocks. It runs only if no exceptions occur in the try block.

Syntax

try:
   # Code that may raise an exception
except SomeException:
   # Handle the exception
else:
   # This runs only if no exception occurred

Example 1: Simple try-except-else

try:
   result = 10 / 2
except ZeroDivisionError:
   print("Cannot divide by zero!")
else:
   print("Division successful:", result)

Output:

Division successful: 5.0

Explanation:

• No error occurs, so except is skipped.
• The else block runs because everything in try succeeded.

Example 2: else Block is Skipped When Exception Occurs

try:
   result = 10 / 0
except ZeroDivisionError:
   print("Error: Division by zero")
else:
   print("Division successful:", result)

Output:

Error: Division by zero

Explanation:

• Since 10 / 0 raises a ZeroDivisionError, the except block runs.
• The else block is skipped.

When to Use else in Exception Handling

Use else when:

• You want to execute code only if no exceptions occur.
• It improves readability by separating error-handling code from successful-path logic.

 Best practice: Keep the try block focused only on code that might raise exceptions. Move the “happy path” logic to the else block.