Finally Block

The finally block is used in exception handling.
It always executes — whether an error occurs or not.

It is mainly used for cleanup tasks such as:

• Closing files
• Releasing resources
• Closing database connections

BASIC SYNTAX

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

The finally block runs no matter what happens in the try block.

SIMPLE EXAMPLE

try:
    print(10 / 2)
except ZeroDivisionError:
    print("Cannot divide by zero.")
finally:
    print("Execution completed.")

Output:

5.0
Execution completed.

Even though no error occurred, finally still executed.

EXAMPLE WITH ERROR

try:
    print(10 / 0)
except ZeroDivisionError:
    print("Cannot divide by zero.")
finally:
    print("Execution completed.")

Output:

Cannot divide by zero.
Execution completed.

The finally block runs even when an error occurs.

FINALLY WITH FILE HANDLING

try:
    file = open("data.txt", "r")
    content = file.read()
except FileNotFoundError:
    print("File not found.")
finally:
    print("File operation finished.")

Even if the file does not exist, the finally block runs.

TRY – EXCEPT – ELSE – FINALLY STRUCTURE

try:
    num = int(input("Enter a number: "))
except ValueError:
    print("Invalid input.")
else:
    print("You entered:", num)
finally:
    print("Program ended.")

Execution order:

• try runs first
• If error → except runs
• If no error → else runs
• finally always runs

IMPORTANT POINTS

• finally always executes
• Used for cleanup tasks
• Works with or without except
• Commonly used in file and database operations

KEY TAKEAWAY

The finally block ensures important code runs no matter what happens, making your Python programs safer and more reliable.