I found that the best way to do this is to check the file size instead. If you do:
return new File(DB_NAME).exists() should be True.
You have to get a true back because it will create it. Instead, check that the file size is greater than 0. At least in this case, you know the data in the file without adding or requesting results.
Instead, run:
return new File(DB_NAME).length() > 0
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