What is the purpose of the 'finally' block in exception handling?

The purpose of the 'finally' block in exception handling is to ensure that specific code runs after the execution of the try-except block, regardless of whether an exception was raised or not. This guarantees that essential cleanup actions, such as closing files, releasing resources, or committing or rolling back transactions, are performed even if an error occurs.

Using a 'finally' block is crucial in scenarios where it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the application or when resources must be managed properly. For example, if a file is opened in the try block and an exception occurs, the 'finally' block can ensure that the file is properly closed, preventing potential resource leaks.

While other options might relate to different aspects of exception handling, the 'finally' block's primary role is to provide a reliable mechanism for executing cleanup code, ensuring that it runs under all circumstances after the try-except flow.