small refactor

inspector.py

@@ -148,10 +148,7 @@ def format_value(obj): #TODO: make magic numbers configurable
     try:
         res = str(obj)
     except Exception as e:
-        tn = typename(e)
-        res = f"caused a {tn}"
-        if str(e): # e has a message
-            res += f": {e}"
+        res = printable_error(e)
     # try if separate lines can be used to shorten
     splitted = res.split("\n")
     if len(splitted) > 4:
@@ -177,6 +174,13 @@ def format_bkg_color(obj):
 def typename(obj):
     return type(obj).__name__
 
+def printable_error(exc):
+    tn = typename(exc)
+    res = f"caused a {tn}"
+    if str(exc): # exc has a message
+        res += f": {exc}"
+    return res
+
 
 
 inspector = VariableInspector()