finally — Intermediate Examples

Block that always executes after try/except, used for cleanup

EasyIntermediateAdvancedExpert

finally with return

How finally interacts with return statements.

python
def test_finally():
    try:
        print("  In try")
        return "from try"
    except:
        print("  In except")
        return "from except"
    finally:
        print("  In finally (runs before return!)")

result = test_finally()
print(f"Got: {result}")

print()

# finally can override the return value (but don't do this!)
def bad_practice():
    try:
        return 1
    finally:
        return 2  # overrides the return from try!

print(f"bad_practice() = {bad_practice()}")
Expected Output
  In try
  In finally (runs before return!)
Got: from try

bad_practice() = 2

finally runs even when the try block returns. If finally also has a return, it overrides the try's return — avoid this anti-pattern.

finally for resource cleanup

Ensuring resources are released.

python
# Manual resource management with finally
resources = []

def acquire(name):
    resources.append(name)
    print(f"  Acquired: {name}")
    return name

def release(name):
    resources.remove(name)
    print(f"  Released: {name}")

# Works even if processing fails
try:
    r = acquire("database")
    print("  Processing...")
    raise RuntimeError("Something went wrong")
except RuntimeError as e:
    print(f"  Error: {e}")
finally:
    if "database" in resources:
        release("database")

print(f"Resources still held: {resources}")
Expected Output
  Acquired: database
  Processing...
  Error: Something went wrong
  Released: database
Resources still held: []

finally is the manual version of what 'with' statements automate. Use 'with' when possible, but finally is still useful for custom cleanup logic.

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