Is `assert()` Evil? A Weighing of Pros and Cons for C and C

Is Assert Evil: Weighing the Pros and Cons

The Go language designers have dismissed assertions as evil for encouraging the avoidance of proper error handling and reporting. This begs the question, do these arguments hold water for C and C programmers who rely on assert() for debugging?

Pros of assert()

• Unforeseen conditions: Assert checks for situations that should logically not occur, catching code execution errors during the debugging stage.
• Clear error messages: Assertions provide specific error messages, guiding developers directly to the source of the problem.

Cons of assert()

• May mask actual errors: If assertions are used as a crutch for detecting runtime errors, they can obscure actual problems that require proper error handling.
• Can disrupt production code: By default, asserts cause program termination if the condition fails, which can be undesirable in production environments.

Distinguishing Assertions and Error Handling

The distinction between assertions and error handling is crucial:

• Assertions: Used to check for coding errors and logical inconsistencies that should not occur.
• Error Handling: Deals with exceptional situations that are expected to occur during runtime due to user input or system conditions.

Conclusion

Assert is not inherently evil, provided it is used appropriately. For catching code execution errors during debugging, it serves its purpose well. However, for handling expected runtime errors, error handling mechanisms are the preferred approach.

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