Question 50 of 169
Try-Except-Else-Finally Execution Order in Python — Complete Guide
What is the output of the following code?
try:
exec('1/0')
except:
print('error')else:
print('no error')finally:
print('done')Quick Answer
The answer is error done because the `exec('1/0')` statement raises a `ZeroDivisionError`, which is caught by the bare `except:` clause, printing 'error', while the `else` clause is skipped entirely since an exception occurred, but the `finally` clause always executes unconditionally, printing 'done'. This demonstrates the strict execution order of the try-except-else-finally construct: the `try` block runs first; if an exception is raised, the matching `except` block runs and the `else` block is bypassed; regardless of outcome, the `finally` block executes last. On the Certified Associate Python Programmer PCAP exam, this pattern tests your understanding of exception handling flow, often appearing in questions that hide a raised exception inside `exec()` or a function call to mislead you. A common trap is assuming `else` runs when any exception occurs, but it only runs if the `try` block completes without an exception. Remember the mnemonic: “Try, except if bad, else if good, finally always.”
⚠ Common exam trap
Python Institute often tests the order of execution in exception handling, specifically that `finally` always runs after `except` (not before), and that `else` is skipped when an exception occurs, causing candidates to misorder the output or forget the `finally` block.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
error done
The `exec('1/0')` raises a `ZeroDivisionError`, which is caught by the bare `except:` clause, printing 'error'. The `else` clause is skipped because an exception occurred, but the `finally` clause always executes, printing 'done'. Thus the output is 'error' followed by 'done'.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
error done
Why this is correct
Correct order.
- ✗
done error
Why it's wrong here
Except runs before finally.
- ✗
error
Why it's wrong here
Finally also runs.
- ✗
done
Why it's wrong here
Except also prints.
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Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on PCAP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. What is the output of the following code? try: print(1/0) except: print('err') finally: print('fin')
medium- A.fin err
- B.fin
- ✓ C.err fin
- D.err
Why C: When a division by zero occurs, Python raises a ZeroDivisionError, which is caught by the bare except clause, printing 'err'. The finally clause always executes after the except block, printing 'fin'. Thus the output is 'err' followed by 'fin'.
Variation 2. What will be the output of the following code? try: print(1/0) except: print('error') else: print('no error') finally: print('done')
easy- A.no error\ndone
- B.error\nno error\ndone
- C.done
- ✓ D.error\ndone
Why D: The code raises a ZeroDivisionError when attempting 1/0, which is caught by the bare except clause, printing 'error'. The else clause is skipped because an exception occurred. The finally clause always executes, printing 'done'. Thus the output is 'error' followed by 'done'.
Variation 3. What is the output of the following code? try: raise ValueError('a') except ValueError as e: print(e.args[0]) finally: print('b')
hard- A.a b
- B.b a
- ✓ C.a\nb
- D.b
Why C: The `finally` block always executes after the `try` block, even when an exception is raised. The `except` block catches the `ValueError` and prints the first argument of the exception (`'a'`), then the `finally` block prints `'b'`. The output is `a` on one line and `b` on the next, matching `a\nb`.
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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