What is exception handling in Python?

Exception handling in Python is primarily a technique to respond to errors using try and except blocks. When writing programs, it’s common to encounter situations where something might go wrong, such as trying to open a file that doesn’t exist or dividing by zero. Exception handling allows the programmer to anticipate these potential errors and define how to handle them gracefully.

In this context, the try block is where you place the code that might raise an exception, while the except block lets you specify what to do if that error occurs. This structure not only helps in managing errors without crashing the program but also enables the implementation of more user-friendly experiences by providing informative messages or alternative actions when an error happens.

Using exception handling is vital for robust software development, as it allows programmers to write more resilient code that can manage various error conditions effectively. Hence, option C accurately captures the essence of exception handling in Python.