Why is it important to check conditions before executing commands in Karel?

When programming Karel, checking conditions before executing commands is crucial because it prevents Karel from making mistakes or encountering errors. In a physical environment filled with objects and obstacles, executing actions without first confirming whether conditions are appropriate can lead to Karel attempting to move through walls, stepping onto unoccupied squares, or performing actions that are not feasible, which can disrupt the flow of the program and result in errors.

By adding condition checks, Karel can assess its surroundings and ensure that it is only taking actions that are valid based on its current situation. This results in more reliable and efficient code, as it minimizes the chances of runtime errors and allows Karel to navigate its environment successfully. Thus, the focus on preventing mistakes highlights the importance of these condition checks in programming effectively with Karel.