Interview “signal” matters

• assert > std::cout

What is assert?

• #include <cassert>
• assert(add(2, 3) == 5);
• True → nothing
• False → crash + line number

How to disable assert?

• Compile with -DNDEBUG or #define NDEBUG
• Asserts removed (zero cost)

Why it’s useful in interviews

• Fewer chars!
• Faster to debug - no manual checking (vs cout)
• Shows correctness mindset (seniority)

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