Try Except Versus if Else

Lets say we want to access the first fruit but we don’t know if the list has any fruits in it.

You would ask: Are there any fruits?

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if fruits:
    favourite = fruit[0]
else:
    favourite = 'orange'

Why not take what you want straight forward..

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try:
    im_taking_it = fruits[0]
except IndexError:
    oops_forgive_me = 'orange'

..and if it is not there forgive yourself :)

EAFP: Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission