From f05871c6fd06cb98d3f603dd8aa22e6b49f69425 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Pablo Galindo Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2024 23:15:39 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] PEP 760: No more bare excepts Signed-off-by: Pablo Galindo --- .github/CODEOWNERS | 1 + peps/pep-0760.rst | 162 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 163 insertions(+) create mode 100644 peps/pep-0760.rst diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS index 2c99583b4cc..b6df9d1ef5e 100644 --- a/.github/CODEOWNERS +++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS @@ -640,6 +640,7 @@ peps/pep-0756.rst @vstinner peps/pep-0757.rst @vstinner peps/pep-0758.rst @pablogsal @brettcannon peps/pep-0789.rst @njsmith +peps/pep-0760.rst @pablogsal @brettcannon # ... peps/pep-0801.rst @warsaw # ... diff --git a/peps/pep-0760.rst b/peps/pep-0760.rst new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..d302e49af0b --- /dev/null +++ b/peps/pep-0760.rst @@ -0,0 +1,162 @@ +PEP: 760 +Title: No More Bare Excepts +Author: Pablo Galindo , Brett Cannon +PEP-Delegate: TBD +Status: Draft +Type: Standards Track +Created: 30-Sep-2024 +Python-Version: 3.14 + + +Abstract +======== + +This PEP proposes disallowing bare ``except:`` and `` clauses in Python's +exception-handling syntax. Currently, Python allows catching all exceptions +with a bare ``except:`` clause, which can lead to overly broad exception +handling and mask important errors. This PEP suggests requiring explicit +exception types in all except clauses, promoting more precise and intentional +error handling. + + +Motivation +========== + +The current syntax allows for catching all exceptions with a bare ``except:`` clause is: + +.. code-block:: python + + try: + risky_operation() + except: + handle_any_error() + +While this syntax can be convenient for a "catch all" handler, it often leads +to poor coding practices: + +1. It can mask important errors that should be propagated. +2. It makes debugging more difficult by catching and potentially hiding + unexpected exceptions. +3. It goes against the Python principle of explicit over implicit. + +Various linters [1]_ [2]_ [3]_ and style guides (including :pep:`8`) [4]_ [5]_ +[6]_ [7]_ discourage bare ``except`` clauses. + +By requiring explicit exception types, we can encourage more thoughtful and +precise error handling: + +.. code-block:: python + + try: + risky_operation() + except Exception as e: + handle_expected_error(e) + + +Rationale +========= + +The decision to disallow bare except clauses is based on the following +considerations: + +1. Requiring specific exception types makes the programmer's intentions clear + and encourages thinking about what exceptions might occur. + +2. Catching only specific exceptions makes identifying and debugging unexpected + errors easier. + +3. Preventing overly broad exception handling reduces the risk of silently + ignoring critical errors. + +4. Many style guides and linters already discourage the use of bare except + clauses. + + +Specification +============= + +The syntax for the except clause will be modified to require an exception type. +The grammar will be updated to remove the possibility of adding an empty +expression in except clauses. + +This change disallows the bare 'except:' syntax. All except clauses must +specify at least one exception type: + +.. code-block:: python + +try: + ... +except ValueError: + ... +except (TypeError, RuntimeError): + ... +except Exception: + ... # Still allowed, but catches all exceptions explicitly + +The semantics of exception handling remain unchanged, except that it will no +longer be possible to catch all exceptions without explicitly specifying +'Exception' or a similarly broad exception type. + + +Backwards Compatibility +======================= + +This change is not backwards compatible. Existing code that uses bare 'except:' +clauses will need to be modified. To ease the transition: + +1. A deprecation warning will be issued for bare except clauses in Python 3.14. +2. The syntax will be fully disallowed in Python 3.15. + +A tool will be provided to automatically update code to replace bare 'except:' +with 'except Exception:'. + + +Security Implications +===================== + +This change has no security implications. + + +How to Teach This +================= + +For new Python users, exception handling should be taught with explicit +exception types from the start: + +.. code-block:: python + + try: + result = risky_operation() + except ValueError: + handle_value_error() + except TypeError: + handle_type_error() + except Exception as e: + handle_unexpected_error(e) + +For experienced users, the change can be introduced as a best practice that is +now enforced by the language. The following points should be emphasized: + +1. Always catch specific exceptions when possible. +2. Use ``except Exception:`` as a last resort for truly unexpected errors. +3. Never silence exceptions without careful consideration. + +Documentation should guide common exception hierarchies and how to choose +appropriate exception types to catch. + + +Copyright +========= + +This document is placed in the public domain or under the +CC0-1.0-Universal license, whichever is more permissive. + +.. [1] https://pylint.pycqa.org/en/latest/user_guide/messages/warning/bare-except.html +.. [2] https://www.flake8rules.com/rules/E722.html +.. [3] https://docs.astral.sh/ruff/rules/bare-except/ +.. [4] https://google.github.io/styleguide/pyguide.html#24-exceptions +.. [5] https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/platform/factory/+/HEAD/CODING_STYLE.md#Avoid-bare_except +.. [6] https://4.docs.plone.org/develop/plone-coredev/style.html#concrete-rules +.. [7] https://docs.openedx.org/en/latest/developers/references/developer_guide/style_guides/python-guidelines.html + +