[Python-Dev] are NULL checks in Objects/abstract.c really needed?

[Raymond Hettinger]

> >  i had a quick look at Objects/abstract.c in 2.2.2's source. almost
> >  every function there checks whether the objects it's passed are not
> >  NULL. if they are, SystemError exception occurs. since i've never come
> >  across such exception i've commented out those checks.

> Unfortunately, this is part of the safety net for poor extension
> writers, and I'm not sure we can drop it.

Can we get most of the same benefit by using 
an assert() rather than NULL-->SystemError?


Raymond Hettinger