gistfile1.py

#Throws exception IndexError
names = [["TJ","Kells"], ["Erin","Wilbur"],["JEFFEREY"]]

for name in names:
    first_name = name[0]
    last_name = name[1]

    print first_name, last_name
    
    

#Avoids exception, but if statement is invoked on every loop
names = [["TJ","Kells"], ["Erin","Wilbur"],["JEFFEREY"]]

for name in names:
    first_name = name[0]
    if len(name) > 1:
        last_name = name[1]
    else:
        last_name = 'Not provided'

    print first_name, last_name
    
    
#Catches exception ONLY WHEN last name is not present
names = [["TJ","Kells"], ["Erin","Wilbur"],["JEFFEREY"]]

for name in names:
    first_name = name[0]
    try:
        last_name = name[1]
    except IndexError:
        last_name = "not provided"

    print first_name, last_name