Python's exception handling doesn't stop at just try and except. Two additional blocks—finally and else—provide more control and structure to how your program handles errors and cleanup operations.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn when and how to use finally and else to make your Python code more robust, readable, and reliable.

1. The finally Block

The finally block always runs, no matter what. It executes whether or not an exception was raised and whether or not it was handled. This is ideal for cleanup actions like closing files or releasing resources.

Syntax:

try:
    # risky code
except SomeError:
    # handle error
finally:
    # this code always runs

Example 1: Using finally to close a file

try:
    file = open("sample.txt", "r")
    data = file.read()
    print(data)
except FileNotFoundError:
    print("File not found.")
finally:
    print("Closing file (simulated).")

Output: Even if the file doesn't exist, the finally block runs.

Example 2: finally without exception

try:
    result = 10 / 2
    print("Result:", result)
finally:
    print("Finished calculation.")

2. The else Block

The else block runs if—and only if—no exceptions occur in the try block. It’s useful when you want to execute code only when everything goes right.

Syntax:

try:
    # code that might raise error
except SomeError:
    # handle error
else:
    # runs only if no error occurs

Example 3: Using else to confirm success

try:
    value = int("42")
except ValueError:
    print("Invalid input.")
else:
    print("Conversion successful:", value)

Output: Conversion successful: 42

Example 4: Both else and finally

try:
    number = int("100")
except ValueError:
    print("Error occurred.")
else:
    print("Valid input:", number)
finally:
    print("End of program.")

All blocks work together—else runs only if there’s no exception, and finally runs no matter what.

3. Common Use Cases

• finally: Releasing resources, closing files, or stopping timers.
• else: Code that should only run when the try block was successful.

4. Summary Table

5. Final Thoughts

Using finally and else makes your exception handling more complete and expressive. finally ensures essential cleanup happens no matter what, while else keeps your success path separate from error-handling logic. Together, they help you write safer and more maintainable code.