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Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 17:56:18 -0800
Subject: Re: I love assert
From: Dan Stromberg <drsalists@gmail.com>
To: Peter Cacioppi <peter.cacioppi@gmail.com>
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On Tue, Nov 11, 2014 at 11:40 AM, Peter Cacioppi
<peter.cacioppi@gmail.com> wrote:
> I get the impression that most Pythonistas aren't as habituated with asse=
rt statements as I am. Is that just a misimpression on my part? If not, is =
there a good reason to assert less with Python than other languages?
>
> As far as I can tell, Python supports assert perfectly well. When run wit=
h the optimization flagging, the asserts are truly removed.
>
> I think one needs to take care with some basic assert coding - it's not a=
 substitute for unit tests, it doesn't absolve you of normal exception resp=
onsibilities, and, most of all, it should be used for passive inspection an=
d not action. But given these guidelines, I still find it very useful as "a=
ctive comments".

assert is terrific (stops bugs in their tracks), though many things
should be done with more targeted exceptions.

I guess you could do a survey.