const for bytecode optimization...

[Skip Montanaro]

    Michael> The time machines strikes again (and again and again ...). The
    Michael> variable you are looking for exists.

    Michael> It is called __debug__:

    ...

I'll expand briefly on what Michael said:

1. When compiling to bytecodes with the optimize flag, no code is generated
   in an if __debug__.

2. When not optimizing the assert statement byte compiles to an if __debug__
   construct as well.

Skip Montanaro | http://www.mojam.com/
skip at mojam.com | http://www.musi-cal.com/
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