def optionIsSet(self, name):
    """
    Check whether an option with a given name exists and has been set.

    :param name: the name of the option to check; can be short or long name.
    :return: true if an option matching the given name exists and it has had
             it's value set by the user
    """
    name = name.strip()
    if not self.hasOption(name):
      return False
    return self.getOption(name).isSet()
Check whether an option with a given name exists and has been set.

    :param name: the name of the option to check; can be short or long name.
    :return: true if an option matching the given name exists and it has had
             it's value set by the user