'Finally' equivalent for If/Elif statements in Python

nobillygreen picture nobillygreen · Feb 6, 2014 · Viewed 43.1k times · Source

Does Python have a finally equivalent for its if/else statements, similar to its try/except/finally statements? Something that would allow us to simplify this:

 if condition1:
      do stuff
      clean up
 elif condition2:
      do stuff
      clean up
 elif condition3:
      do stuff
      clean up
 ...
 ...

to this:

 if condition1:
      do stuff
 elif condition2:
      do stuff
 elif condition3:
      do stuff
 ...
 ...
 finally:
      clean up

Where finally would only be called only after a condition was met and its 'do stuff' run? Conversely, if no condition was met, the finally code would not be run.

I hate to spout blasphemy, but the best way I can describe it is there being a GOTO statement at the end of each block of 'do stuff' that led to finally.

Essentially, it works as the opposite of an else statement. While else is only run if no other conditions are met, this would be ran ONLY IF another condition was met.

Answer

Daniel Fairhead picture Daniel Fairhead · Feb 6, 2014

It can be done totally non-hackily like this:

def function(x,y,z):
    if condition1:
        blah
    elif condition2:
        blah2
    else:
        return False

    #finally!
    clean up stuff.

In some ways, not as convenient, as you have to use a separate function. However, good practice to not make too long functions anyway. Separating your logic into small easily readable (usually maximum 1 page long) functions makes testing, documenting, and understanding the flow of execution a lot easier.

One thing to be aware of is that the finally clause will not get run in event of an exception. To do that as well, you need to add try: stuff in there as well.