An assert is inappropriate for parameter validation because assertions can be disabled at runtime in the JVM, meaning that a bad
operational setting would completely eliminate the intended checks. Further, asserts that fail throw AssertionErrors, rather
than throwing some type of Exception. Throwing Errors is completely outside of the normal realm of expected
catch/throw behavior in normal programs.
This rule raises an issue when a public method uses one or more of its parameters with asserts.
Noncompliant code example
public void setPrice(int price) {
assert price >= 0 && price <= MAX_PRICE;
// Set the price
}
Compliant solution
public void setPrice(int price) {
if (price < 0 || price > MAX_PRICE) {
throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid price: " + price);
}
// Set the price
}
