Using Java Assertions? Use an Assertion-failed Breakpoint!

I’m a big fan of assertions.
I use them very often in my code as safeguards. I was very pleased when
true, native assertions were introduced to Java: they allow adding more
tests while keeping the code running faster when disabled.?

If you like assertions, you will appreciate the following tip. A failed assertion will throw a?java.lang.AssertionError
runtime exception. Logging the assertion failures is up to the
application code. If your code does not report this error properly, you
may completely miss the assertion failures.?

Eclipse has a very useful mechanism for breaking on Exceptions.
It’s a different kind of breakpoint, which is triggered when the
exception is thrown, regardless of how (and if) it is caught. If you
are using assertions, I highly recommend setting a breakpoint on
assertion failures when debugging your code. Here’s how:

1. From the Run menu, select Add Java Exception Breakpoint…
2. Type java.lang.AssertionError in the dialog box, select the exception and click OK.

That’s it, you are done. From now on, the debugger will stop
whenever an exception is throw. The breakpoint will appear in the
breakpoints view. You can right click it and select Breakpoint Properties… to see all the settings you can control.

The most useful feature would be to break on uncaught exceptions only,
although, in case of assertions, I would break in any case.
Needless
to say, the exception breakpoints can be used for any kind of
exception.?Truly?a hidden treasure worth adding to your toolbox.?From http://blog.zvikico.com