Python: pop from empty list

I am using below line in a loop in my code

importer = exporterslist.pop(0)

If exporterslist has no entries it returns error: IndexError: pop from empty list. How can I bypass exporterslist with no entries in it?

One idea I can think of is if exporterslist is not None then importer = exporterslist.pop(0) else get the next entry in the loop. If the idea is correct, how to code it in python?

Solution 1:

You're on the right track.

if exporterslist: #if empty_list will evaluate as false.
    importer = exporterslist.pop(0)
else:
    #Get next entry? Do something else?

Solution 2:

This one..

exporterslist.pop(0) if exporterslist else False

..is somewhat the same as the accepted answer of @nightshadequeen's just shorter:

>>> exporterslist = []   
>>> exporterslist.pop(0) if exporterslist else False   
False

or maybe you could use this to get no return at all:

exporterslist.pop(0) if exporterslist else None

>>> exporterslist = [] 
>>> exporterslist.pop(0) if exporterslist else None
>>>