Best Way to Handle Python Requests Exceptions?

General Discussions
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1

Is the following approach correct for handling exceptions using the Python requests module?

try:
    r = requests.get(url, params={'s': thing})
except requests.ConnectionError as e:
    print(e)

Is there a better way to structure this? Does this cover all potential exceptions from the requests module?

2

I’ve been working with Python requests for quite a while, and the most common approach I recommend is to catch exceptions broadly, especially when you’re not sure what specific issues might arise. Here’s an example:

import requests

try:
    r = requests.get(url, params={'s': thing})
    r.raise_for_status()  # Checks if the request was successful
except requests.RequestException as e:  # Catches all requests-related exceptions
    print(f"Request failed: {e}")

This method uses requests.RequestException, which is the base class for all exceptions in the requests module. It’s great for catching network issues, timeouts, invalid HTTP responses, and more—all in one place. Definitely the best starting point when dealing with exceptions.

3

That’s a solid general approach, Devan! But if you want more control over how you handle different errors, it’s worth splitting them into specific cases. For instance, you might want a different response for a ConnectionError versus a Timeout. Here’s how I usually do it:

import requests

try:
    r = requests.get(url, params={'s': thing}, timeout=5)  # Set a timeout for the request
    r.raise_for_status()
except requests.ConnectionError as e:
    print(f"Connection error: {e}")
except requests.Timeout as e:
    print(f"Request timed out: {e}")
except requests.HTTPError as e:
    print(f"HTTP error: {e}")
except requests.RequestException as e:  # Catch any other exceptions
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")

This approach allows you to fine-tune the error handling and respond to specific situations with custom messages. Super helpful when you’re building something user-facing where clarity matters!

4

Richaa, I completely agree with you—specific handling is a lifesaver in detailed scenarios. But I’ve learned through experience that managing resources efficiently is just as critical, especially in production environments. That’s why I often use the with statement to handle automatic cleanup. Here’s how I’d tweak it:

import requests

try:
    with requests.get(url, params={'s': thing}) as r:
        r.raise_for_status()
        # Process the response
except requests.RequestException as e:
    print(f"Error occurred: {e}")

The with statement ensures that the connection is closed properly once the request is completed, avoiding resource leaks. This is especially handy for large-scale or repeated requests where efficiency is key. It’s all about building robust systems!