What are assertions in C++ and how do I use them?

What are assertions in C++ and how do I use them?

Assertions in C++ are used to verify assumptions made by the program. They help catch bugs by checking conditions at runtime.

Can you show me an example of how to implement assertions?

Sure! You can use the <cassert> header. Here's a simple example:

#include <cassert>

int main() {
    int x = 5;
    assert(x == 5); // This will pass
    assert(x == 10); // This will fail
    return 0;
}

What happens if an assertion fails?

If an assertion fails, the program will terminate and print an error message indicating the failed assertion, along with the file and line number.

Are assertions removed in release builds?

Yes, assertions are typically removed in release builds when the NDEBUG macro is defined, which can improve performance.