From: mjd@saul.cis.upenn.edu (Mark-Jason Dominus)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,comp.lang.c,comp.unix.misc,talk.bizarre
Subject: Introduction to C programming under UNIX for the only marginally aware
Summary: Part 1:  The `assert' macro.
Message-ID: <MJD.92Apr28224801@saul.cis.upenn.edu>
Date: 29 Apr 92 02:48:01 GMT
Followup-To: comp.misc
Organization: University of Pennsylvania


ASSERT(3)

    Before you use the `assert' macro, be sure to put the directive

	#include <assert.h>

    at the head of your program.

WHAT ASSERT DOES, FOR THE ONLY MARGINALLY AWARE:

A dramatic presentation, starring:

	ILIE NASTASE as `assert'
	CLINT EASTWOOD as `Compiled code'

Scene:  A tennis court.

	ASSERT: Yowza!  The value of the expression
	         `((MNODE)curclass->data)->filenames == cons(argv[i], stderr)'
		is nonzero!

	Compiled code: 
		You sure?

	ASSERT: I'm quite sure!  I have never been more sure of anything in
	        my life.  I'm sure I'm sure!  I'm DARN sure.

	Compiled code:
		Oy gevalt.  What's your point?

	ASSERT: You don't believe me!  You doubt my word!  You think I'm
	        untrustworthy!  Well, nyaah-nyaah, poo-poo, you're wrong!  I'm
	        so sure that `((MNODE)curclass->data)->filenames ==
	        cons(argv[i], stderr)' is nonzero, you can call `abort' if
	        I'm wrong.  Which I'm not.  THBBBBBT.

	Compiled code:
		
		<BLAM>

	ASSERT:

		>thud.<

                                        FIN


    Preview of next week's attraction: Part 2, `exec', starring John Wayne (in
the title role) and Cyndi Lauper as Compiled code:

	Compiled code: You're going away!  You're leaving me for someone else!
	
	EXEC:  Yup.

	Compiled code: Oh, tell me you'll be back!

	EXEC:  Only if something doesn't work out.



--

                And for to see, and eke for to be seye
Mark-Jason Dominus 	  			    mjd@central.cis.upenn.edu