Forms: Validating an Item before using set_item_property

How can I validate an Item BEFORE I use set_item_property on it? In other words, Is there a way to check for the existence of an Item programattically, before issuing a set_item_property command?

I keep getting a FRM error and I was hoping to avoid having to TRAP the error.

Thanks for any help at all,

Ken.

--
_________________
Kenneth W. Halsted
Mountaire Corporation
ph: (501) 399-8812
url: http://www.mountaire.com
email: kenman_at_mail.snider.net