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Python Practice Creating and Using Functions in Python Practice Functions Use an External Function

I am getting a SyntaxError for task #3. Not sure what to do here

I'm brand new to coding in general and am not sure what to do for this task even after seeing the hints.

using_a_function.py
"""
This is importing a function named `tweet` from a file
    that we unfortunately don't have access to change.

You use it like so:
>>> tweet("Hello this is my tweet")

If the function cannot connect to Twitter,
    the function will raise a `CommunicationError`
If the message is too long,
    the function will raise a `MessageTooLongError`
"""
from twitter import (
    tweet,
    MessageTooLongError,
    CommunicationError,
)


message = input("What would you like to tweet?  ")
# Your code here

try:
    tweet(message)
    if len(message) > 42:
        raise MessageTooLongError("Oh no! Your message was too long (...)."
except CommunicationError:
    print("An error occurred attempting to connect to Twitter. Please try again!")

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,248 Points

You don't want to "raise" an exception yourself, but to catch another one (using "except") when it happens.

The syntax will be similar to what you did already for CommunicationError but this time you'll grab the optional argument and make it part of the message you print. The ellipsis (...) won't be part of your message but it's where you will plug in the text from the exception.

Oh, and remember to always use parentheses in balanced pairs.

What do you mean by "grab the optional argument and make it part of the message" ? What message do I plug in from the exception? Is it the one that says "The maximum allowed characters is 42."?

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,248 Points

You grab the text this way:

except MessageTooLongError as msg:  # <-- the "as msg" puts the text into the variable "msg"

And the message you should put out is the one that starts with "Oh no!"...