Idiom

LBYL vs. EAFP

• LBYL

  Look Before You Leap

  if os.path.exists(filename):
      os.remove(filename)
  

• EAFP

  Easier to Ask Forgiveness than to get Permission

  try:
      os.remove(filename)
  except OSError as e:
      if e.errno != errno.ENOENT:
          raise
  

References