If list index exists, do X

Question

In my program, user inputs number n, and then inputs n number of strings, which get stored in a list.

I need to code such that if a certain

Answer 1

Using the length of the list would be the fastest solution to check if an index exists:

def index_exists(ls, i):
    return (0 <= i < len(ls)) or (-len(ls) <= i < 0)

This also tests for negative indices, and most sequence types (Like ranges and strs) that have a length.

If you need to access the item at that index afterwards anyways, it is easier to ask forgiveness than permission, and it is also faster and more Pythonic. Use try: except:.

try:
    item = ls[i]
    # Do something with item
except IndexError:
    # Do something without the item

This would be as opposed to:

if index_exists(ls, i):
    item = ls[i]
    # Do something with item
else:
    # Do something without the item