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Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code is attempting attempts to delete all the null names from the list in an assertion. However, the boolean Boolean expression is not evaluated when assertions are disabled.

Code Block
bgColor#ffcccc
private ArrayList<String> names;

void process(int index) {
  assert names.remove(null); // sideSide effect 
  // ...
}

Compliant Solution

Avoid the The possibility of side effects in assertions . This can be achieved avoided by decoupling the boolean Boolean expression from the assertion.:

Code Block
bgColor#ccccff
private ArrayList<String> names;

void process(int index) {
  boolean nullsRemoved = names.remove(null);
  assert nullsRemoved; // noNo side effect 
  // ... 
}

Risk Assessment

Side effects in assertions result in program behavior that depends on whether assertions are enabled or disabled.

Rule

Severity

Likelihood

Remediation Cost

Priority

Level

EXP06-J

low

Low

unlikely

Unlikely

low

Low

P3

L3

Automated Detection

Automated detection of assertion operands that contain locally visible side effects is straightforward. Some analyses could require programmer assistance to determine which method invocations lack side effects.

Related Guidelines

ToolVersionCheckerDescription
CodeSonar
Include Page
CodeSonar_V
CodeSonar_V

JAVA.STRUCT.SE.ASSERT

Assertion Contains Side Effects (Java)

PVS-Studio

Include Page
PVS-Studio_V
PVS-Studio_V

V6055
SonarQube

Include Page
SonarQube_V
SonarQube_V

S3346Expressions used in "assert" should not produce side effects


Related Guidelines

Android Implementation Details

The assert statement is supported on the Dalvik VM but is ignored under the default configuration. Assertions may be enabled by setting the system property "debug.assert" via: adb shell setprop debug.assert 1 or by sending the command-line argument "--enable-assert" to the Dalvik VM.

Bibliography


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Image Removed      02. Expressions (EXP)      03. Numeric Types and Operations (NUM)Image Added Image Added Image Added