Errors In Python
- By Jagannadham Ch.
What is an Error?
• An error is a mistake or fault that occurs in a program and causes the
program to behave abnormally or produce incorrect results.
• Errors can be made by beginners as well as experienced programmers.
• Programming errors are also known as bugs or faults, and the
process of finding and fixing these errors is called debugging.
• Types of Errors
• In general, programming errors are classified into the following three
types:
o Compilation Error (Syntax Error)
o Runtime Error (Exception)
o Logical Error (Semantic Error)
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Compilation Error / Syntax Error
• Compilation errors, also called syntax errors, occur when the rules
(syntax) of the programming language are not followed.
• These errors are detected by the compiler or interpreter before the
program is executed, and they prevent the program from running.
• Syntax errors are very common among beginners and are usually easy to
identify and fix.
• Common Causes of Syntax Errors
o Missing a keyword - while, if, for not written
o Placing a keyword in the wrong position - Missing : after condition
o Missing symbols such as colon (:), comma (,), or brackets( )
o Misspelling a keyword - Whlie, pritn
o Incorrect indentation - No space/tab before block
o Writing an empty block where a statement is required - No statement inside block
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• Missing a Keyword
o A keyword required by Python is omitted
• Placing a Keyword in the Wrong Position
o The keyword is used, but not in the correct order or place
• Missing Symbols (Colon, Comma, or Brackets)
o Required symbols such as : , ,, ( ) are missing.
o (a) Missing colon
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o (b) Missing comma
o (c) Missing bracket
• Misspelling a Keyword
o Python keywords are case-sensitive and must be spelled correctly
• Incorrect Indentation
• Writing an Empty Block Where a Statement Is Required
o Python does not allow empty blocks.
• Missing quotation marks
o In this case, the interpreter stops execution and reports the error.
o After inserting the missing quotation mark, the program runs correctly.
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Runtime / Exceptional Errors
• Runtime errors occur while the program is running, after
successful compilation.
• These errors cause abnormal termination of the program and are
reported as exceptions.
• Runtime errors occur when the program attempts to perform an
operation that is not possible during execution.
• Common Runtime Errors
o Division by zero
o Performing operations on incompatible data types
o Using a variable that has not been defined
o Accessing a list element, dictionary key, or object attribute that does not
exist
o Trying to access a file that does not exist
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• Division by zero
• Misspelled variable name
• Performing operations on incompatible data types
• Accessing a list element, dictionary key, or object attribute that
does not exist
• Trying to access a file that does not exist
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Logical / Semantic Error
• A logical error occurs when the program runs without any error
messages, but produces incorrect or unexpected results.
• These errors are caused by incorrect logic or reasoning in the
program.
• Logical errors are the most difficult to detect and debug, because
the program executes successfully.
• Common Logical Errors
o Using the wrong variable name
o Incorrect indentation level
o Using integer division instead of floating-point division
o Incorrect operator precedence
o Errors in Boolean expressions
o Off-by-one errors and other numerical mistakes
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• Using the wrong variable name
• Incorrect indentation level
• Using integer division instead of floating-point division
Problem:
// performs integer (floor) division, so the decimal part is lost.
• Operator precedence error
o Multiplication has higher precedence than addition, so the expression is
evaluated as
o in python
o If the intended calculation is:
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• Errors in Boolean expressions
• Operator precedence error
Expected to print 1 to 5, but 5 is excluded.
o Off-by-one errors occur when loop limits or index boundaries are
miscalculated, leading to incorrect or runtime errors.
Error Type When it Occurs Program Runs? Easy to Debug
Syntax Error Before execution No Yes
Runtime Error During execution Stops Moderate
Logical Error During execution Yes Difficult
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Next Exception Handling
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