What is the difference between throw and assert in C++?

What is the difference between throw and assert in C++?

In C++, throw is used for exception handling, allowing you to signal an error condition, while assert is used for debugging, to check assumptions in your code. If an assertion fails, it typically terminates the program.

Can you give me an example of how to use both?

Sure! For throw, you might have a function that throws an exception if a parameter is invalid:

void checkValue(int value) {
    if (value < 0) {
        throw std::invalid_argument("Value must be non-negative");
    }
}

For assert, you can use it like this:

#include <cassert>
void process(int value) {
    assert(value >= 0);
    // process value
}

When should I use throw instead of assert?

Use throw when you want to handle errors that can occur during normal operation and need to be managed at runtime. Use assert for conditions that should never happen if your code is correct, mainly during development.

Are there performance implications for using assert?

Yes, assert can be disabled in release builds, which means it has no performance cost in production. However, throw incurs a performance cost since it involves stack unwinding and exception handling.