NAME    [Toc]    [Back]

     assert - expression verification macro

SYNOPSIS    [Toc]    [Back]

     #include <assert.h>

     assert(expression);

DESCRIPTION    [Toc]    [Back]

     The assert() macro tests the given expression and if it is false, the
     calling process is terminated.  A diagnostic message, consisting of the
     text of the expression, the name of the source file, the line number and
     the enclosing function, is written to stderr and the abort(3) function is
     called, effectively terminating the program.

     If expression is true, the assert() macro does nothing.

     The assert() macro may be removed at compile time with the cc(1) option
     -DNDEBUG.

DIAGNOSTICS    [Toc]    [Back]

     The following diagnostic message is written to stderr if expression is
     false:

           "assertion \"%s\" failed: file \"%s\", line %d, function \"%s\"\n", \
                               "expression", __FILE__, __LINE__, __func__);

SEE ALSO    [Toc]    [Back]

     cc(1), abort(3)

STANDARDS    [Toc]    [Back]

     The assert() macro conforms to .

HISTORY    [Toc]    [Back]

     A assert macro appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.

     Information on the name of the enclosing function appeared in .

BSD                            December 17, 2000                           BSD