Built-in exceptions — Python Technical Interview Questions & Answers

Built-in exceptions

Built-in exceptions

  • Python ships named errors for common failures. ValueError: int("Asha"). TypeError: 1 + "a". IndexError: list[99]. KeyError: dict missing key. FileNotFoundError: open missing path. ZeroDivisionError: 10/0. Exception is a common parent. Catch the type you expect, not a bare except.
  • Name five and one cause each. That is the viva. Matching name → cause scores more than reciting the hierarchy.
  • Built-in exceptions — output: ValueError. int("Asha") is the classic cause.
  try:  10 / 0
         │ ZeroDivisionError
         ▼
  except → Cannot divide
         │
         ▼
      finally

Technical Interview Tip: Five names + one cause each.

Code Examples for Built-in exceptions

Example

# Built-in exceptions
try:
    int("Asha")
except ValueError as e:
    print(type(e).__name__)

Built-in exceptions — output: ValueError. int("Asha") is the classic cause.

How to Explain Built-in exceptions to an Interviewer

Explain Built-in exceptions as if you are teaching a junior — definition, then one tiny script.

ValueError / TypeError IndexError / KeyError

What does the example print, and why?

Built-in exceptions — output: ValueError

What mistake do freshers make with Built-in exceptions?

ValueError / TypeError