Perl To Python Migration

THE EXCEPTION SYSTEM

We'll be looking at the specifics of the exception system shortly, but before we do that keep in mind the following:

• Exceptions are used throughout Python – during the parsing process of a Python script, any faults in the syntax are highlighted by raising a SyntaxError exception. Exceptions in Python are not a bolt-on feature, they are used by the interpreter itself as a way of highlighting problems.

• Exceptions are classes – all exceptions are based on the Exception class and follow a strict hierarchy. This allows you to trap a general exception such as ArithmeticError, or a more specific problem such as ZeroDivisionError.

• Exceptions are “dumb” – exceptions can pass objects and error information, they are simply a semaphore ...