diff --git a/ghwt.py b/ghwt.py
index bb0be706a..d04cd3f67 100755
--- a/ghwt.py
+++ b/ghwt.py
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def install(sproj):
     return unpack(sproj, branch, sproj_dir)
 
 def run(args):
-    if len(args) == 0 or args[0] == '-h' or args[0] == '--help':
+    if not args or args[0] == '-h' or args[0] == '--help':
         print(sys.argv[0], 'list/install', 'package_name')
         return 1
     command = args[0]
diff --git a/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py b/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py
index 389e759ba..49d896ab3 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ class Backend:
         includeargs = compiler.get_include_args(pchpath, False)
         for lang in ['c', 'cpp']:
             p = target.get_pch(lang)
-            if len(p) == 0:
+            if not p:
                 continue
             if compiler.can_compile(p[-1]):
                 header = p[0]
diff --git a/mesonbuild/backend/ninjabackend.py b/mesonbuild/backend/ninjabackend.py
index 2c3880ba6..e7c9123be 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/backend/ninjabackend.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/backend/ninjabackend.py
@@ -1048,7 +1048,7 @@ int dummy;
         """Vala is compiled into C. Set up all necessary build steps here."""
         (vala_src, vapi_src, other_src) = self.split_vala_sources(target)
         extra_dep_files = []
-        if len(vala_src) == 0:
+        if not vala_src:
             msg = 'Vala library {!r} has no Vala source files.'
             raise InvalidArguments(msg.format(target.name))
 
@@ -2034,7 +2034,7 @@ rule FORTRAN_DEP_HACK
             pchlist = target.get_pch(compiler.language)
         else:
             pchlist = []
-        if len(pchlist) == 0:
+        if not pchlist:
             pch_dep = []
         elif compiler.id == 'intel':
             pch_dep = []
@@ -2139,7 +2139,7 @@ rule FORTRAN_DEP_HACK
             cstr = '_CROSS'
         for lang in ['c', 'cpp']:
             pch = target.get_pch(lang)
-            if len(pch) == 0:
+            if not pch:
                 continue
             if '/' not in pch[0] or '/' not in pch[-1]:
                 msg = 'Precompiled header of {!r} must not be in the same ' \
diff --git a/mesonbuild/backend/vs2010backend.py b/mesonbuild/backend/vs2010backend.py
index 432bdd02f..16e96c941 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/backend/vs2010backend.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/backend/vs2010backend.py
@@ -865,7 +865,7 @@ class Vs2010Backend(backends.Backend):
         pch_sources = {}
         for lang in ['c', 'cpp']:
             pch = target.get_pch(lang)
-            if len(pch) == 0:
+            if not pch:
                 continue
             pch_node.text = 'Use'
             pch_sources[lang] = [pch[0], pch[1], lang]
diff --git a/mesonbuild/build.py b/mesonbuild/build.py
index a5ebc3435..c8d692ed1 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/build.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/build.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class Build:
             self.compilers[lang] = compiler
 
     def add_cross_compiler(self, compiler):
-        if len(self.cross_compilers) == 0:
+        if not self.cross_compilers:
             self.static_cross_linker = self.environment.detect_static_linker(compiler)
         lang = compiler.get_language()
         if lang not in self.cross_compilers:
@@ -340,9 +340,7 @@ class BuildTarget(Target):
         self.process_objectlist(objects)
         self.process_kwargs(kwargs, environment)
         self.check_unknown_kwargs(kwargs)
-        if len(self.sources) == 0 \
-                and len(self.generated) == 0 \
-                and len(self.objects) == 0:
+        if not self.sources and not self.generated and not self.objects:
             raise InvalidArguments('Build target %s has no sources.' % name)
         self.process_compilers()
         self.validate_sources()
@@ -433,7 +431,7 @@ class BuildTarget(Target):
         We also add compilers that were used by extracted objects to simplify
         dynamic linker determination.
         '''
-        if len(self.sources) + len(self.generated) + len(self.objects) == 0:
+        if not self.sources and not self.generated and not self.objects:
             return
         # Populate list of compilers
         if self.is_cross:
@@ -488,7 +486,7 @@ class BuildTarget(Target):
             self.compilers['c'] = compilers['c']
 
     def validate_sources(self):
-        if len(self.sources) == 0:
+        if not self.sources:
             return
         for lang in ('cs', 'java'):
             if lang in self.compilers:
@@ -675,7 +673,7 @@ class BuildTarget(Target):
         if 'name_prefix' in kwargs:
             name_prefix = kwargs['name_prefix']
             if isinstance(name_prefix, list):
-                if len(name_prefix) != 0:
+                if name_prefix:
                     raise InvalidArguments('name_prefix array must be empty to signify null.')
             elif not isinstance(name_prefix, str):
                 raise InvalidArguments('name_prefix must be a string.')
@@ -684,7 +682,7 @@ class BuildTarget(Target):
         if 'name_suffix' in kwargs:
             name_suffix = kwargs['name_suffix']
             if isinstance(name_suffix, list):
-                if len(name_suffix) != 0:
+                if name_suffix:
                     raise InvalidArguments('name_suffix array must be empty to signify null.')
             else:
                 if not isinstance(name_suffix, str):
@@ -825,7 +823,7 @@ You probably should put it in link_with instead.''')
             self.link_whole_targets.append(t)
 
     def add_pch(self, language, pchlist):
-        if len(pchlist) == 0:
+        if not pchlist:
             return
         elif len(pchlist) == 1:
             if not environment.is_header(pchlist[0]):
diff --git a/mesonbuild/compilers.py b/mesonbuild/compilers.py
index 188bd8f6b..ba0fb4e9a 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/compilers.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/compilers.py
@@ -317,12 +317,12 @@ def get_base_link_args(options, linker, is_shared_module):
     return args
 
 def build_unix_rpath_args(build_dir, rpath_paths, install_rpath):
-        if len(rpath_paths) == 0 and len(install_rpath) == 0:
+        if not rpath_paths and not install_rpath:
             return []
         paths = ':'.join([os.path.join(build_dir, p) for p in rpath_paths])
         if len(paths) < len(install_rpath):
             padding = 'X' * (len(install_rpath) - len(paths))
-            if len(paths) == 0:
+            if not paths:
                 paths = padding
             else:
                 paths = paths + ':' + padding
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ class CompilerArgs(list):
         if len(args) > 2:
             raise TypeError("CompilerArgs() only accepts at most 2 arguments: "
                             "The compiler, and optionally an initial list")
-        elif len(args) == 0:
+        elif not args:
             return cargs
         elif len(args) == 1:
             if isinstance(args[0], (Compiler, StaticLinker)):
@@ -708,7 +708,7 @@ class Compiler:
         return self.get_std_shared_lib_link_args()
 
     def get_link_whole_for(self, args):
-        if isinstance(args, list) and len(args) == 0:
+        if isinstance(args, list) and not args:
             return []
         raise EnvironmentException('Language %s does not support linking whole archives.' % self.language)
 
@@ -1360,7 +1360,7 @@ class CCompiler(Compiler):
             extra_dirs = [extra_dirs]
         # Gcc + co seem to prefer builtin lib dirs to -L dirs.
         # Only try to find std libs if no extra dirs specified.
-        if len(extra_dirs) == 0:
+        if not extra_dirs:
             args = ['-l' + libname]
             if self.links(code, env, extra_args=args):
                 return args
@@ -1700,7 +1700,7 @@ class ValaCompiler(Compiler):
             extra_dirs = [extra_dirs]
         # Valac always looks in the default vapi dir, so only search there if
         # no extra dirs are specified.
-        if len(extra_dirs) == 0:
+        if not extra_dirs:
             code = 'class MesonFindLibrary : Object { }'
             vapi_args = ['--pkg', libname]
             args = self.get_cross_extra_flags(env, link=False)
@@ -1892,12 +1892,12 @@ class DCompiler(Compiler):
     def build_rpath_args(self, build_dir, rpath_paths, install_rpath):
         # This method is to be used by LDC and DMD.
         # GDC can deal with the verbatim flags.
-        if len(rpath_paths) == 0 and len(install_rpath) == 0:
+        if not rpath_paths and not install_rpath:
             return []
         paths = ':'.join([os.path.join(build_dir, p) for p in rpath_paths])
         if len(paths) < len(install_rpath):
             padding = 'X' * (len(install_rpath) - len(paths))
-            if len(paths) == 0:
+            if not paths:
                 paths = padding
             else:
                 paths = paths + ':' + padding
diff --git a/mesonbuild/dependencies.py b/mesonbuild/dependencies.py
index eb7a5e414..c512bf38f 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/dependencies.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/dependencies.py
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@ class BoostDependency(Dependency):
         else:
             libdir = []
         # Can't find libdir, bail
-        if len(libdir) == 0:
+        if not libdir:
             return
         libdir = libdir[0]
         self.libdir = libdir
@@ -1021,7 +1021,7 @@ class QtBaseDependency(Dependency):
         self.is_found = False
         if isinstance(mods, str):
             mods = [mods]
-        if len(mods) == 0:
+        if not mods:
             raise DependencyException('No ' + self.qtname + '  modules specified.')
         type_text = 'cross' if env.is_cross_build() else 'native'
         found_msg = '{} {} {{}} dependency (modules: {}) found:' \
@@ -1332,7 +1332,7 @@ class AppleFrameworks(Dependency):
         modules = kwargs.get('modules', [])
         if isinstance(modules, str):
             modules = [modules]
-        if len(modules) == 0:
+        if not modules:
             raise DependencyException("AppleFrameworks dependency requires at least one module.")
         self.frameworks = modules
 
diff --git a/mesonbuild/interpreter.py b/mesonbuild/interpreter.py
index eaaea737a..979cdccf2 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/interpreter.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/interpreter.py
@@ -1581,7 +1581,7 @@ class Interpreter(InterpreterBase):
 
     @noKwargs
     def func_configuration_data(self, node, args, kwargs):
-        if len(args) != 0:
+        if args:
             raise InterpreterException('configuration_data takes no arguments')
         return ConfigurationDataHolder()
 
@@ -1818,7 +1818,7 @@ class Interpreter(InterpreterBase):
             self.coredata.base_options[optname] = oobj
 
     def func_find_program(self, node, args, kwargs):
-        if len(args) == 0:
+        if not args:
             raise InterpreterException('No program name specified.')
         required = kwargs.get('required', True)
         if not isinstance(required, bool):
@@ -2533,7 +2533,7 @@ different subdirectory.
             self.coredata.target_guids[idname] = str(uuid.uuid4()).upper()
 
     def build_target(self, node, args, kwargs, targetholder):
-        if len(args) == 0:
+        if not args:
             raise InterpreterException('Target does not have a name.')
         name = args[0]
         sources = args[1:]
diff --git a/mesonbuild/interpreterbase.py b/mesonbuild/interpreterbase.py
index e59557abc..86a6b4748 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/interpreterbase.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/interpreterbase.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def check_stringlist(a, msg='Arguments must be strings.'):
 def noPosargs(f):
     @wraps(f)
     def wrapped(self, node, args, kwargs):
-        if len(args) != 0:
+        if args:
             raise InvalidArguments('Function does not take positional arguments.')
         return f(self, node, args, kwargs)
     return wrapped
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def noPosargs(f):
 def noKwargs(f):
     @wraps(f)
     def wrapped(self, node, args, kwargs):
-        if len(kwargs) != 0:
+        if kwargs:
             raise InvalidArguments('Function does not take keyword arguments.')
         return f(self, node, args, kwargs)
     return wrapped
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class InterpreterBase:
             raise InvalidArguments('Missing Meson file in %s' % mesonfile)
         with open(mesonfile, encoding='utf8') as mf:
             code = mf.read()
-        if len(code.strip()) == 0:
+        if code.isspace():
             raise InvalidCode('Builder file is empty.')
         assert(isinstance(code, str))
         try:
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ class InterpreterBase:
     def sanity_check_ast(self):
         if not isinstance(self.ast, mparser.CodeBlockNode):
             raise InvalidCode('AST is of invalid type. Possibly a bug in the parser.')
-        if len(self.ast.lines) == 0:
+        if not self.ast.lines:
             raise InvalidCode('No statements in code.')
         first = self.ast.lines[0]
         if not isinstance(first, mparser.FunctionNode) or first.func_name != 'project':
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ class InterpreterBase:
         obj = self.to_native(obj)
         (posargs, _) = self.reduce_arguments(args)
         if method_name == 'to_string':
-            if len(posargs) == 0:
+            if not posargs:
                 if obj:
                     return 'true'
                 else:
@@ -429,12 +429,12 @@ class InterpreterBase:
         obj = self.to_native(obj)
         (posargs, _) = self.reduce_arguments(args)
         if method_name == 'is_even':
-            if len(posargs) == 0:
+            if not posargs:
                 return obj % 2 == 0
             else:
                 raise InterpreterException('int.is_even() must have no arguments.')
         elif method_name == 'is_odd':
-            if len(posargs) == 0:
+            if not posargs:
                 return obj % 2 != 0
             else:
                 raise InterpreterException('int.is_odd() must have no arguments.')
diff --git a/mesonbuild/mconf.py b/mesonbuild/mconf.py
index 2ab5f9299..b4add65f5 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/mconf.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/mconf.py
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class Conf:
         # Ninja is run.
 
     def print_aligned(self, arr):
-        if len(arr) == 0:
+        if not arr:
             return
         titles = ['Option', 'Description', 'Current Value', '']
         longest_name = len(titles[0])
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class Conf:
         print('')
         print('Base options:')
         okeys = sorted(self.coredata.base_options.keys())
-        if len(okeys) == 0:
+        if not okeys:
             print('  No base options\n')
         else:
             coarr = []
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ class Conf:
         print('')
         print('Compiler options:')
         okeys = sorted(self.coredata.compiler_options.keys())
-        if len(okeys) == 0:
+        if not okeys:
             print('  No compiler options\n')
         else:
             coarr = []
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ class Conf:
         self.print_aligned(parr)
         print('')
         print('Project options:')
-        if len(self.coredata.user_options) == 0:
+        if not self.coredata.user_options:
             print('  This project does not have any options')
         else:
             options = self.coredata.user_options
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ class Conf:
             optarr = []
             for key in keys:
                 opt = options[key]
-                if (opt.choices is None) or (len(opt.choices) == 0):
+                if (opt.choices is None) or (not opt.choices):
                     # Zero length list or string
                     choices = ''
                 else:
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ def run(args):
         print('%s <build directory>' % args[0])
         print('If you omit the build directory, the current directory is substituted.')
         return 1
-    if len(options.directory) == 0:
+    if not options.directory:
         builddir = os.getcwd()
     else:
         builddir = options.directory[0]
diff --git a/mesonbuild/mesonmain.py b/mesonbuild/mesonmain.py
index 7e4be7f92..55440374e 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/mesonmain.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/mesonmain.py
@@ -269,10 +269,10 @@ def run(mainfile, args):
     args = mesonlib.expand_arguments(args)
     options = parser.parse_args(args)
     args = options.directories
-    if len(args) == 0 or len(args) > 2:
+    if not args or len(args) > 2:
         # if there's a meson.build in the dir above, and not in the current
         # directory, assume we're in the build directory
-        if len(args) == 0 and not os.path.exists('meson.build') and os.path.exists('../meson.build'):
+        if not args and not os.path.exists('meson.build') and os.path.exists('../meson.build'):
             dir1 = '..'
             dir2 = '.'
         else:
diff --git a/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py b/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py
index b4dfd1297..134060fa9 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@ class GnomeModule(ExtensionModule):
         return ModuleReturnValue(rv, rv)
 
     def compile_schemas(self, state, args, kwargs):
-        if len(args) != 0:
+        if args:
             raise MesonException('Compile_schemas does not take positional arguments.')
         srcdir = os.path.join(state.build_to_src, state.subdir)
         outdir = state.subdir
diff --git a/mesonbuild/scripts/depfixer.py b/mesonbuild/scripts/depfixer.py
index 16050d735..fa76a9541 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/scripts/depfixer.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/scripts/depfixer.py
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ class Elf(DataSizes):
         # the chance of obliterating other strings. It might still happen
         # but our behaviour is identical to what chrpath does and it has
         # been in use for ages so based on that this should be rare.
-        if len(new_rpath) == 0:
+        if not new_rpath:
             self.remove_rpath_entry(entrynum)
         else:
             self.bf.seek(rp_off)
diff --git a/mesonbuild/scripts/uninstall.py b/mesonbuild/scripts/uninstall.py
index 85c4bbad8..14809216a 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/scripts/uninstall.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/scripts/uninstall.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def do_uninstall(log):
     print('\nRemember that files created by custom scripts have not been removed.')
 
 def run(args):
-    if len(args) != 0:
+    if args:
         print('Weird error.')
         return 1
     if not os.path.exists(logfile):
diff --git a/mesonbuild/wrap/wraptool.py b/mesonbuild/wrap/wraptool.py
index 79bd5dfa7..79b00e0f2 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/wrap/wraptool.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/wrap/wraptool.py
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ def update(name):
 def info(name):
     jd = get_result(API_ROOT + 'projects/' + name)
     versions = jd['versions']
-    if len(versions) == 0:
+    if not versions:
         print('No available versions of', name)
         sys.exit(0)
     print('Available versions of %s:' % name)
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ def status():
             print('', name, 'not up to date. Have %s %d, but %s %d is available.' % (current_branch, current_revision, latest_branch, latest_revision))
 
 def run(args):
-    if len(args) == 0 or args[0] == '-h' or args[0] == '--help':
+    if not args or args[0] == '-h' or args[0] == '--help':
         print_help()
         return 0
     command = args[0]
diff --git a/mesontest.py b/mesontest.py
index b59d1ed5a..101ce5fcd 100755
--- a/mesontest.py
+++ b/mesontest.py
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ TIMEOUT: %4d
         return False
 
     def test_suitable(self, test):
-        return (len(self.options.include_suites) == 0 or TestHarness.test_in_suites(test, self.options.include_suites)) \
+        return (not self.options.include_suites or TestHarness.test_in_suites(test, self.options.include_suites)) \
             and not TestHarness.test_in_suites(test, self.options.exclude_suites)
 
     def load_suites(self):
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ def run(args):
     if options.list:
         list_tests(th)
         return 0
-    if len(options.args) == 0:
+    if not options.args:
         return th.doit()
     return th.run_special()
 
diff --git a/run_project_tests.py b/run_project_tests.py
index 149a1830f..9bba6321e 100755
--- a/run_project_tests.py
+++ b/run_project_tests.py
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ def _run_test(testdir, test_build_dir, install_dir, extra_args, compiler, backen
     if returncode != 0:
         return TestResult('Running unit tests failed.', BuildStep.test, stdo, stde, mesonlog, gen_time, build_time, test_time)
     # Do installation, if the backend supports it
-    if len(install_commands) != 0:
+    if install_commands:
         env = os.environ.copy()
         env['DESTDIR'] = install_dir
         # Install with subprocess
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ def _run_test(testdir, test_build_dir, install_dir, extra_args, compiler, backen
     stde += e
     if pi.returncode != 0:
         return TestResult('Running clean failed.', BuildStep.clean, stdo, stde, mesonlog, gen_time, build_time, test_time)
-    if len(install_commands) == 0:
+    if not install_commands:
         return TestResult('', BuildStep.install, '', '', mesonlog, gen_time, build_time, test_time)
     return TestResult(validate_install(testdir, install_dir, compiler), BuildStep.validate, stdo, stde, mesonlog, gen_time, build_time, test_time)