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While handling a single exception is useful, Python also gives us the ability to handle multiple exceptions at once. We can list more than one exception type in a tuple with a single except clause. Here is what the syntax would look like: 

try:
    # Some code to try!
except (NameError, ZeroDivisionError) as e:
    print('We hit an Exception!')
    print(e)

In the above example, we expect to encounter either a NameError or a ZeroDivisionError. We can list any number of exceptions in this tuple format as long as it makes sense for the code in our try block. This is where we can see the benefit of capturing our exception object (via the as clause) since it enables us to print (or operate on) the specific exception that is caught.

In addition to catching multiple exceptions, we can also pair multiple except clauses with a single try clause, enabling specific exceptions to be handled differently. For example: 

try:
    # Some code to try!
except NameError:
    print('We hit a NameError Exception!')
except KeyError:
    print('We hit a TypeError Exception!')
except Exception:
    print('We hit an exception that is not a NameError or TypeError!')

In the above program, a NameError or KeyError will trigger one of the first two exception handlers. Any other exception will trigger the third handler. Note that the order of handlers is important here - if an exception is encountered, Python will execute the first one that matches its type. In this case, and a valid strategy for exception handling, we use the last except clause as a generic Exception as a backup if no other specific exception gets caught.

Let’s now practice handling multiple exceptions!

Instructions

1.

Instrument World has a program that allows the user to apply a discount to an instrument price.

Take some time to look over the program. Spot any issues? Run the code to find out!

2.

Looks like we hit a KeyError! Let’s apply some exception handling to handle this exception!

Wrap the display_discounted_price() function call in a try clause. In addition, add an except clause which handles a KeyError exception. Inside the except clause, print 'An invalid instrument was entered!'.

3.

Awesome! Now our program can account for any KeyError we encounter. Let’s see what happens when we use a key that does exist in our instrument_prices dictionary.

Change instrument = 'Clarinet' so that instrument is equal to 'Banjo'. Before you run the code, take some time to ponder if our program will run into any error.

4.

We hit a TypeError!

This happened because the discount variable was set to a string, not a number. Let’s adjust our exception handling to also account for a TypeError.

After the exception handler for KeyError, add another except clause which catches a TypeError. Inside the except clause, print 'Discount percentage must be a number!'.

5.

We now have exception handlers for when we hit a KeyError or TypeError, but what if some other unexpected exception occurs?

Add a final exception handler which will catch any Exception object. Inside, print 'Hit an exception other than KeyError or TypeError!'

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