An Introduction to Assert in Python [With Examples]

Introduction

An assertion is nothing but a sanity check that can be turned off or turned on when the program testing is completed. The simplest method to think about an assertion is as an improvement on the “if statement”. During the testing of an expression, when the result of the test is false, then an exception can be raised. Often, assertions are placed at the beginning of the function for checking the valid input, and the valid output after the function call.

What is Assertion?

In the programming world, assertion is a fact of state. It describes the anticipated state at the end of the code execution.

Assertion is a Boolean-valued function, which returns the assumption of output as true or false.  The current world of programming languages includes assertions that are used to roughly verify or during the runtime.

Programmers use assertion as a tool to debug the program. It brings down the location where the logical inconsistency is found and makes the assertion evaluations false during the execution time.  As soon as the assertion evaluates to false, the programs design to stop further execution of lines and throw the user-friendly/debug friendly errors.

Become a Certified Expert in AWS, Azure and GCP

Caltech Cloud Computing BootcampExplore Program

Not surprisingly, python also has its own assert statement that can be used by developers.  Let us see the assertion flow now for quick understanding.

High level illustration of an assertion in a program.

Thus, the assert in Python or any other programming language does the following.

• If the programming line or execution of code passes, assertions return true.
• If the programming line or execution of code fails, assertions return false.

Essence of Assert in Python:

Why Assert in Python?

Like few other programming languages, Python also has its built-in assert 

statement, which is used to continuously execute the condition if assert evaluates to True, else it will return the AssertionError i.e., Exception.

Where assert in Python is used?

Verifying the expected output of the functions.

Developer while testing the code or a program.

Validating the values in the argument to know whether it is valid.

Syntax – Assert in Python:

In Python, assert statements are being used in two ways as mentioned below. 

1. assert <expression>, <error message>
2. assert <expression>

Two-way declarations of python are detailed below.

• assert <expression>, <error message>

This type of assert declaration has an expression to be evaluated, and an optional error message.

Here, if the expression evaluation failed or not satisfied, then the assert statement gives AssertionError along with the error message, which is defined.

• assert <expression>

This type of assert declaration has expression only to be evaluated. The optional user defined error message will not be available. 

Here, if the expression evaluation failed or not satisfied, then the assert statement gives AssertionError but not the error message.

Prerequisites for starting the hands-on.

Installation of Visual Studio Code and the Extension for Python.

1. Install VS Code if not already done.

2. Next, Python extension for VS Code for Visual Studio Code (VS Code).

The Python extension can be found in Extension Market Place in VS Code.

3. Installation of Python Interpreter.

For further clarification, please refer to the examples below.  

Become a Certified UI UX Expert in Just 5 Months!

With The Best-in-class UI UX ProgramExplore Program

Scenario 1: 

We have written a program to find total marks.  The condition is that subject marks can be aggregated.  

So, the program should execute only less than or equal to 5 subject marks. 

If more than 5 subject marks are entered, then the program should abort.

Step 1: Defining sum function in Python.

Step 2: Initialize array variables with 6 values.

Step 3: Since the array variable is more than 6 values, assertionError will be thrown.

Step 4: In example1 assertionError will be thrown without error message.

Step 5: In example2 assertionError will be thrown with error message.

Example 1: Using Assert in Python without Error Message 

File Name: aggregateMarks.

Output:

Program returned AssertionError and Aborted.

Explanation

In example 1, we have initialized the mark array variable with  

6 marks, whereas the expected array input is up to 5 marks only.

Hence, the Python interpreter generated an exception at run time.  Here, we see only the AssertionError as we have specified the optional error message for assertion.

Example 2: Using Assert in Python with Optional Error Message.

File Name: aggregateMarks.py

Output:

Program returned AssertionError along with the error message that we specified.

Explanation: 

In example 2, we have initialized the mark array variable with 6 marks, whereas the expected array input is up to 5 marks only.

Hence, the Python interpreter generated an exception at run time.  Here,

we can see error messages along with AssertionError.

Become the Highest Paid Data Science Expert

With Our Best-in-class Data Science ProgramExplore Now

Scenario 2: 

Let us try a simple additional and subtraction calculator in Python.  Along with using Assert in Python.

Step 1: Defining Addition and Subtraction function in Python.

Step 2: Print the title ‘Choose calc operation to perform.

Step 3: Ask for a choice that the user wants to perform calculation.

Step 4: Ask the number 1 and number 2 that the user wants to perform calculation for.

Step 5: Print the result.

Step 6: If user entered invalid choice, then throw AssertionError with optional 

  error message.

Step 7: Program will be aborted.

Example 1:

File Name: Calculator.py

Output:  

Program returned AssertionError along with the error message that we specified.

Explanation:

Since user entered second number as greater than first number, program 

aborted and threw AssertionError with the error message that is defined in the program.

Hands-on Challenge

Get Ready

You will be completing this challenge on your own with above specified examples.  Here, the challenge is nothing but like scenario 2.  In the above, we had to add and sub Python functions.  For your challenge, you can use or define division or multiplication function, throw the error using statement assert in python.

Looking forward to making a move to the programming field? Take up the Python Training Course and begin your career as a professional Python programmer

Conclusion

An assertion is a sanity test like behavior that is used to check whether the evaluation returns the expected outcome, which is basically true or false.  When an expression is evaluated and the result is false, then it throws an exception, else move forward or execute the further programming.

Assertion helps to write a clean and maintainable code.  In addition to that, it also behaves like a debugging tool to throw error if the result of an outcome is false. However, it is not a try-catch in the programming.  

You can learn more about assert in python by joining the Python Training Course from Simplilearn that will teach you the fundamentals of Python, data operations, conditional statements, shell scripting, and Django. This certification course consisting of 38 hours of Blended Learning and 8 hours of online self-paced learning will provide you with practical programming experience and train you for a rewarding career as a professional Python programmer.

Have any questions for us? Leave them in the comments section of this article, and our experts will get back to you on them, as soon as possible!