Finally block behavior in PHP - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output of this PHP code with try-finally?

Consider the following PHP code snippet. What will it output when run?

PHP

<?php
try {
    echo "Start ";
    return;
} finally {
    echo "Finally ";
}
echo "End";
?>

A Start Finally

B Finally Start

C Start End

D Start

💡 Hint

Remember that the finally block runs even if the try block returns early.

In PHP, the finally block executes even if the try block has a return statement. So 'Start ' is printed, then finally block prints 'Finally '. The code after try-finally is not executed because of return.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output when exception is thrown and caught with finally

What will this PHP code output?

PHP

<?php
try {
    echo "Try ";
    throw new Exception("Error");
} catch (Exception $e) {
    echo "Catch ";
} finally {
    echo "Finally ";
}
echo "Done";
?>

A Try Catch Done

B Try Finally Catch Done

C Try Catch Finally Done

D Try Done Finally Catch

💡 Hint

The finally block runs after catch, before continuing.

The try block prints 'Try ', then throws an exception. The catch block prints 'Catch '. The finally block always runs, printing 'Finally '. After that, the code prints 'Done'.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What happens if finally block returns a value?

What will this PHP code output?

PHP

<?php
function test() {
    try {
        return 1;
    } finally {
        return 2;
    }
}
echo test();
?>

A 2

B 1

C NULL

D Fatal error

💡 Hint

A return in finally overrides any previous return.

In PHP, if the finally block contains a return statement, it overrides the return from the try block. So the function returns 2.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Output when exception thrown in finally block

What will this PHP code output?

PHP

<?php
try {
    echo "Try ";
} finally {
    echo "Finally ";
    throw new Exception("Error in finally");
}
echo "End";
?>

A Finally Try Fatal error: Uncaught Exception

B Try Finally End

C Try End Finally

D Try Finally Fatal error: Uncaught Exception

💡 Hint

Exception in finally block interrupts normal flow.

The try block prints 'Try '. The finally block prints 'Finally ' then throws an exception. The exception is uncaught, so script stops with fatal error. 'End' is not printed.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

How many times does finally block execute in nested try-finally?

Consider this PHP code. How many times will the finally blocks execute?

PHP

<?php
try {
    try {
        echo "Inner try ";
    } finally {
        echo "Inner finally ";
    }
} finally {
    echo "Outer finally ";
}
?>

A 1 time

B 2 times

C 3 times

D 0 times

💡 Hint

Each try has its own finally block that always runs.

The inner try block runs and prints 'Inner try '. Its finally block runs printing 'Inner finally '. Then the outer finally block runs printing 'Outer finally '. So finally blocks run twice.