Python if vs try-except

Question

I was wondering why the try-except is slower than the if in the program below.

def tryway():
    try:
        while True:
            alist.pop()
    except         


        

Answer 1

defensive programming requires that one test for conditions which are rare and/or abnormal, some of which during the course of a year or many years will not occur, thus in these circumstances perhaps try-except may be justified.