Why do we need the “finally” clause in Python?

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It makes a difference if you return early:

try:
    run_code1()
except TypeError:
    run_code2()
    return None   # The finally block is run before the method returns
finally:
    other_code()

Compare to this:

try:
    run_code1()
except TypeError:
    run_code2()
    return None   

other_code()  # This doesn't get run if there's an exception.

Other situations that can cause differences:

  • If an exception is thrown inside the except block.
  • If an exception is thrown in run_code1() but it’s not a TypeError.
  • Other control flow statements such as continue and break statements.

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