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 script that reads a configuration file. If the file does not exist, the program should print an error and continue. Which code snippet correctly implements this behavior?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
try: open('config.txt') except FileNotFoundError: print('File not found')
Option A is correct because it uses a `try` block to attempt opening the file and catches only `FileNotFoundError`, which is the specific exception raised when the file does not exist. This allows the program to print an error and continue execution without crashing, precisely matching the requirement.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
try: open('config.txt') except FileNotFoundError: print('File not found')
Why this is correct
Correctly catches only FileNotFoundError.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
f = open('config.txt', 'r') if not f: print('File not found')
Why it's wrong here
open() does not return None or False; it raises an exception.
✗
try: f = open('config.txt') except: print('File not found')
Why it's wrong here
Catches all exceptions, not just FileNotFoundError.
✗
try: with open('config.txt') as f: pass except Exception: print('File not found')
Why it's wrong here
Catches all exceptions, including unrelated ones.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Python Institute often tests the distinction between catching a specific exception versus a broad or bare `except`, and the trap here is that candidates may think any `try-except` works, overlooking the requirement to catch only `FileNotFoundError` for precise error handling.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Python, `open()` raises `FileNotFoundError` (a subclass of `OSError`) when the specified file path does not exist. Using a specific exception handler ensures that only the intended error is caught, while other issues (e.g., permission errors) propagate naturally. The `with` statement in option D is fine for file handling, but the broad `except Exception` is the flaw—it would catch `FileNotFoundError` but also many other exceptions, making debugging harder in real-world applications.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Exceptions and File I/O — This question tests Exceptions and File I/O — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: try: open('config.txt') except FileNotFoundError: print('File not found') — Option A is correct because it uses a `try` block to attempt opening the file and catches only `FileNotFoundError`, which is the specific exception raised when the file does not exist. This allows the program to print an error and continue execution without crashing, precisely matching the requirement.
What should I do if I get this PCAP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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