do - try - catch code doesnt try or catch. just do's - swift

Question

thanks for any help upfront.
url session works perfect with connection, it prints the error as nil. but without it it prints the .localizedDescription just fine and shows me the right error, but then continues to do the do{ try } and crashes with this error in the try line:
Thread 6: Fatal error: Unexpectedly found nil while unwrapping an
Optional value
now I am not even sure if this has anything to do with the errorhandling. thanks for any help with understanding whats going on or just solving the problem!
func getData(completion: (() -> ())?) {
let urlString = URL(string: "https://api.coinmarketcap.com/v1/ticker/")
URLSession.shared.dataTask(with: urlString!, completionHandler: { (data, response , error) in
print("before entering do-try-catch", error?.localizedDescription)
do {
//create Dictionary
print("downloading content")
self.coinData = try JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: data!) as! [[String:Any]]
//set connection status
self.connection = true
//update tableView
DispatchQueue.main.async {
completion?()
}
} catch {
print("catch", error.localizedDescription)
//set connection status
self.connection = false
//update tableView
DispatchQueue.main.async {
completion?()
}
}
}).resume()
}

Answer 1

Thread 6: Fatal error: Unexpectedly found nil while unwrapping an Optional value is a common problem for beginners.
You try to work with data that is not there.
So for example in your code you force to execute try JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: data!)
When data is nil the code will crash.
The same at the beginning URLSession.shared.dataTask(with: urlString!, completionHandler: { (data, response, error) {}
When urlString is not a valid URL the code will be crash. (In this case the url seems to be valid).
For more information have a look here:
https://stackoverflow.com/a/24034551/4420355
Try the following snipped it should work
if let data = data {
self.coinData = try JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: data) as? [[String:Any]]
//... work with coinData
}

Answer 2

Reason why it is crashing is because data is Optional and it should be nil or has some value. On line
self.coinData = try JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: data!) as! [[String:Any]]
Compiler thinks:
Let's take a look and unwrap this Optianal variable. But it's nil, there is "nothing"! So what should I unwrap? Let's crash and throw Fatal Error message.
How to easily avoid this with Optional binding:
if let data = data {
....do something with data
} else {
...print error message
}
For more information take look at this brilliant answer.
https://stackoverflow.com/a/32170457/3046686