Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

Python Python Basics Functions and Looping Raising Exceptions

Cecilia Rossi García
Cecilia Rossi García
2,251 Points
Posted by Cecilia Rossi García
Cecilia Rossi García
2,251 Points

Questions about variable 'err'

How does the variable 'err' in the try block reference the argument in 'raise ValueError'?

Unclear how 'as err' works to reference 'raise ValueError' argument versus the argument in 'except ValueError' ...if that even makes sense...

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points

I assume you meant to say "the variable 'err' in the except block..."

The argument to a "raise" is used as the contents of the "message" attribute of the exception object that is created.

The "AS" keyword stores a reference to the exception object in the named variable ("err" in this case). Referencing the object as a string (such as with "print") will return the contents of the "message" attribute.