python 2.7 - Lines in my code being skipped and I am not sure why -

i using python 2.7 , pretty new python. wanted ask why lines in code being skipped although don't see reason them be.

my code seen below:

def add_client:     code adding client  def check_clients:     code listing out client info  modes = {'add': add_client, 'check': check_clients}         while true:     while true:         action = raw_input('input action: \n').lower()         if action in modes or ['exit']:             break         print 'actions available:',         in modes:             print i.title() + ',',         print 'exit'       if action in modes:         modes[mode](wb)      if action == 'exit':         break 

when run code , input action not in list of modes, not print out 'actions available: add, check, exit' , seems skip seen below.

input action: k input action: 

if change code seen below works intended:

modes = {'add': add_entries, 'check': check_stats}         while true:     while true:         mode = raw_input('input action: \n').lower()         if mode not in modes:             print 'actions available:',             in modes:                 print i.title() + ',',             print 'end/exit'          if mode in modes or ['end', 'exit']:             break      if mode in modes:         modes[mode](wb)      if mode in ['end', 'exit']:         break 

output:

input action: k actions available: add, check, end/exit 

from understanding, thought when if statement false, code within if statement skipped , code following should ran, reason, doesn't seem case here. there reason or understanding of if statement incorrect?

the condition action in modes or ['exit'] evaluates true regardless of value of action. read (action in modes) or (['exit']) (so apply or operator operands action in modes , ['exit']). non-empty list ['exit'] evaluates true in boolean context, or returns true. suggested use action in modes or action == 'exit' here achieve goal.