Bug: Avoid assert calls in production code

[l0b0]

Bug Description

Python removes assert calls when compiling optimised code, meaning that they don't actually do anything in production code. This will result in the code following different code paths in testing and production.

[Jimlinz]

This makes sense. I've been told not to use assert outside of test, but never found a good explanation as to why. Does this mean none of the assert calls in the production is actually doing anything?

[l0b0]

Does this mean none of the assert calls in the production is actually doing anything?

Yep. Which could cause some really confusing bugs.