Comment by eesmith

I agree. In Python terms "Easier to Ask for Forgiveness than Permission" (EAFP) is preferred over "Look Before You Leap" (LBYL).

https://docs.python.org/3/glossary.html#term-EAFP comments:

> Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. This common Python coding style assumes the existence of valid keys or attributes and catches exceptions if the assumption proves false. This clean and fast style is characterized by the presence of many try and except statements. The technique contrasts with the LBYL style common to many other languages such as C.

and there are any number of essays on the topic, like (random DDG search) https://programmingduck.com/articles/lbyl-eafp .