How to programmatically check a view to test if it has any results? What's the most lightweight way to test if a view has any results in it or not? I have a system which creates links to various views, but if the view has no results I want the link to be greyed out. I can only think to load the whole view and execute it, but hopefully there is an easier solution?

I should also note that these views contain contextual filters, if it makes any difference.
Your options: 


Trim down the "view" to return only 1 row of possible results.
Attack the problem from the other side. Use a Rule or a Hook to track the condition of your event (eg, "is there new content of type X") in a site variable and check that value instead of your View.


... etc ...