How can I use assertions for error handling in C++?

How can I use assertions for error handling in C++?

In C++, assertions can be used to check for conditions that should always be true during development. You can use the assert macro from the <cassert> header. If the condition evaluates to false, the program will terminate, which helps catch bugs early.

Can you give me an example of using assertions?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

#include <cassert>

void divide(int a, int b) {
    assert(b != 0); // Ensure b is not zero
    std::cout << a / b;
}

In this case, if b is zero, the program will terminate with an assertion failure.

Are assertions removed in release builds?

Yes, assertions are typically removed in release builds when you define NDEBUG. This means they won't affect performance in production.

What are the limitations of using assertions?

Assertions should not be used for error handling in production code, as they can terminate the program. They are mainly for debugging purposes.