What is the purpose of the 'assert' keyword in OOP?

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What is the purpose of the 'assert' keyword in OOP?

The 'assert' keyword in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is used to validate certain conditions or assumptions within a program. Its purpose is to ensure that the program is functioning correctly by checking if the specified condition is true. If the condition is true, the program continues execution as normal. However, if the condition is false, an assertion error is raised, indicating that there is a logical error or a bug in the program.

The main purpose of using the 'assert' keyword is to catch and identify errors early in the development process. It helps in debugging and identifying issues by providing a way to verify the correctness of assumptions made during the program's execution. By using assertions, developers can validate the program's internal state, input parameters, or any other conditions that should always hold true.

Additionally, the 'assert' keyword is also useful for documenting and communicating the expected behavior of a program. It serves as a form of self-documentation, making it easier for other developers to understand the intended behavior of the code.

However, it is important to note that assertions should not be used as a substitute for proper error handling and exception handling mechanisms. Assertions are primarily meant for debugging and development purposes and should not be relied upon for handling runtime errors or user input validation.