What is the difference between assertions and exceptions?

Can you explain the difference between assertions and exceptions in programming?

Sure! Assertions are used to check assumptions in code, while exceptions handle errors that occur during execution.

So, are assertions always checked during runtime?

Not necessarily. Assertions can be disabled in production code, while exceptions are always checked.

When should I use assertions instead of exceptions?

Use assertions for debugging and validating assumptions, and exceptions for handling runtime errors that users might encounter.

Can you give an example of each?

Certainly! An assertion might check if a variable is not null, while an exception could be thrown if a file is not found.