This PCAP practice question tests your understanding of exceptions and file i/o. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Config file: /etc/myapp/config.ini
[files]
input = /var/data/in.csv
output = /var/data/out.csv
Code:
config = configparser.ConfigParser()
config.read('/etc/myapp/config.ini')
with open(config['files']['input'], 'r') as f:
lines = f.readlines()
print(len(lines))Refer to the exhibit. If /var/data/in.csv does not exist, what exception is raised?
Config file: /etc/myapp/config.ini
[files]
input = /var/data/in.csv
output = /var/data/out.csv
Code:
config = configparser.ConfigParser()
config.read('/etc/myapp/config.ini')
with open(config['files']['input'], 'r') as f:
lines = f.readlines()
print(len(lines))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
When a file does not exist and you attempt to open it for reading using the built-in `open()` function, Python raises a `FileNotFoundError`. This is a subclass of `OSError` and is the standard exception for missing files in Python 3. The question explicitly states that `/var/data/in.csv` does not exist, so the correct exception is `FileNotFoundError`.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
A common trap in Python exams is confusing FileNotFoundError with PermissionError. When a file does not exist, Python raises FileNotFoundError, not PermissionError. Always verify the file's existence before attempting to open it.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the `open()` function calls the operating system's system call (e.g., `open()` on Linux or `CreateFile()` on Windows) to access the file. If the OS returns an error code indicating the file does not exist (e.g., `ENOENT` on POSIX systems), Python translates that into a `FileNotFoundError`. This exception is a subclass of `OSError` and was introduced in Python 3.0 to replace the older `IOError` for more specific error handling. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for scripts that process input files, where a missing file should be caught gracefully to provide a user-friendly message or fallback behavior.
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 — When a file does not exist and you attempt to open it for reading using the built-in `open()` function, Python raises a `FileNotFoundError`. This is a subclass of `OSError` and is the standard exception for missing files in Python 3. The question explicitly states that `/var/data/in.csv` does not exist, so the correct exception is `FileNotFoundError`.
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: Jul 4, 2026
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