IndexError: List Index Out of Range in Python

Problem

Handling an IndexError when accessing an invalid list index.

Code

my_list = [1, 2, 3]
value = my_list[5]

Error

IndexError: list index out of range

Issue

The error occurs because you are trying to access an index (5) that does not exist in the list. The list has only three elements with indices 0, 1, and 2.

Solution

Before accessing the list index, check if the index is within the valid range.

Fixed Code

my_list = [1, 2, 3]
index = 5

if 0 <= index < len(my_list):
    value = my_list[index]
else:
    print("Error: Index out of range.")

Alternatively, you can use a try-except block to catch the error.

Alternative Code

my_list = [1, 2, 3]
try:
    value = my_list[5]
except IndexError:
    print("Error: Index out of range.")