title: Do I have to cause an ValueError in Python
body: <p>I have this code:</p>
  
  <pre><code>chars = #some list
  
  try:
      indx = chars.index(chars)
  except ValueError:
      #doSomething
  else:
     #doSomethingElse
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I want to be able to do this because I don't like knowfully causing Exceptions:</p>
  
  <pre><code>chars = #some list
  
  indx = chars.index(chars)
  
  if indx == -1:
      #doSomething
  else:
     #doSomethingElse
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Is there a way I can do this?</p>