assert() Function Guide: Usage & Best Practices

The assert() function is used in a program to check if a certain condition is true. If the condition is true, the program continues to run; if the condition is false, the program raises an AssertionError exception and stops execution.

The syntax of the assert() function is:
assert expression

The ‘expression’ is a conditional statement that can be any expression that returns a boolean value. If the expression is true, nothing happens. If the expression is false, an AssertionError exception is thrown, and you can choose to catch and handle the exception.

The scenarios where the assert() function is used are as follows:

1. During the development process, it is used to check the correctness and robustness of the program, helping to quickly locate errors.
2. In test code, it is used to verify if the expected result matches the actual result, helping to identify issues.
3. In writing documentation, front-end conditions are used to explain the requirements of the program, aiding in the understanding and use of the code.
4. During debugging, used to identify issues and determine whether a certain condition is met.

It is important to note that the assert() function can be disabled at compile time using the -O option, which removes all assertion statements. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid using the assert() function for error handling in code that will be released.