This PCAP practice question tests your understanding of exceptions and file i/o. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer writes a function that reads a configuration file and returns its contents as a string. The file might not exist. Which exception should be caught to handle a missing file?
FileNotFoundError
FileNotFoundError is specifically for missing files.
PermissionError
Why wrong: PermissionError is for access issues, not missing file.
IOError
Why wrong: IOError is an alias for OSError, not specific to missing file.
OSError
Why wrong: OSError is too broad; it includes other I/O errors.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
FileNotFoundError
Option A is correct because `FileNotFoundError` is a built-in exception in Python that is raised when a file or directory is requested but does not exist. In Python 3, file-related I/O errors are organized under `OSError` with specific subclasses, and `FileNotFoundError` is the precise exception for a missing file, making it the most appropriate catch for this scenario.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
FileNotFoundError
Why this is correct
FileNotFoundError is specifically for missing files.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
PermissionError
Why it's wrong here
PermissionError is for access issues, not missing file.
IOError
Why it's wrong here
IOError is an alias for OSError, not specific to missing file.
OSError
Why it's wrong here
OSError is too broad; it includes other I/O errors.
Common exam traps
Python Institute often tests the distinction between the broad `OSError` and its specific subclass `FileNotFoundError`, trapping candidates who think catching the parent class is safer, when in fact the exam expects precise exception handling for a missing file.
Detailed technical explanation
In Python 3, the exception hierarchy for file operations is rooted in `OSError`, which has several subclasses such as `FileNotFoundError`, `PermissionError`, and `IsADirectoryError`. When a file is missing, the operating system returns an error code (e.g., ENOENT on POSIX systems), which Python maps to `FileNotFoundError`. A real-world scenario is a configuration file loader that should catch only `FileNotFoundError` to allow a fallback to defaults, while letting other I/O errors (like permission issues) propagate for debugging.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
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FAQ
Exceptions and File I/O — This question tests Exceptions and File I/O — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: FileNotFoundError — Option A is correct because `FileNotFoundError` is a built-in exception in Python that is raised when a file or directory is requested but does not exist. In Python 3, file-related I/O errors are organized under `OSError` with specific subclasses, and `FileNotFoundError` is the precise exception for a missing file, making it the most appropriate catch for this scenario.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This PCAP practice question is part of Courseiva's free Python Institute certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCAP exam.
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