Why we should prefer ``if: ...'' over a ``try: ... except something: pass'' block? In http://wiki.python.org/moin/PythonSpeed/PerformanceTips#InitializingDictionaryElements it is stated that a try catch block is faster if more often no exception occurs.
Happy new year, Dimitris Leventeas -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list