Re: [Python-Dev] (#19562) Asserts in Python stdlib code (datetime.py)

Should stdlib code use assert at all?

If user input can trigger an assert, then the code should raise a normal exception that will not disappear with -OO.

If the assert is testing program logic, then it seems that the test belongs in the test file, in this case, test/test_datetime.py. For example, consider the following (backwards) code.

Is there any policy on use of assert in stdlib production code?

It is my assertion that assert should only be used where a system-level problem would occur, where you cannot trap an error condition. -- MarkJ Tacoma, Washington