EAFP
Tagged as: Sep 10There are a couple of types of people in the world. There are some that want to make sure that all is well before they proceed and then there are those that will just do things without thinking about the consequences.
There is a related idea in computer programming. You can check all of the variables, program state, and other circumstances. When everything is kosher, you go for it. And hopefully you are successful. The problem with this, though, is that you might forget to check something. Perhaps you haven’t accounted for everything as you should have. Then what? Then disaster! (Or something like that.)
On the other hand, there is another idea that can be used. It is the idea (at least in Python) that it is Easier to Ask for Forgiveness than Permission (i.e., EAFP). This way of dealing with errors is to go for the gusto and then deal with problems as they arise.
I need a little more EAFP.
Derek, I hope you don’t think that EAFP is a new idea!! It’s been my life motto for forty-some-odd years. I say go for gusto whenever you can.
Oh I don’t think that it’s a new idea at all. I realized after I wrote it that it might seem like I was happening upon something new. But I know that many people just live like this. I just like extrapolating ideas that I encounter to life applications.
Haha I also thought it funny because I should have made a comment about how often husbands do this. At least that’s the stereotype.
And if you can only tell which situation requires which strategy, then you’re all set!
In my new job I’m told to EAFP!! I’ve always been a planner and my new job has so many processes and processes for processes that no one really knows how to do things.
Interesting, I started this new job at a time in my life when I’m trying to not be fearful of new things because of fears of making “mistakes.”
Actually, I know it’s not that “interesting” in that my life usually works out this way!
But anyway, I began this job a bit cautiously what with being a newbie but the environment/culture in my group is pretty supportive (although the organization itself is laden with politics!) and with the support I’ve become much more “let’s push this button and see what happens.”
It’s been more fun to have this attitude in that I don’t stress as much and when it comes right down to it, most things I am working on aren’t critical as in RIGHT THIS MINUTE critical. I’ve blundered my way through a few things and it seems like this is what most of us have to do. My version of “EAFP” is “Throw it over the wall and see if it comes back.”