Assertions for quick input validation

In an interview setting, the assert statement provides a quick way to validate input without messing around with throw/raise syntax. I have a tendency of mix up the error handling syntax of different languages.

Instead of this verbose approach:

def divide(a, b):
    if b == 0:
        raise ValueError("Cannot divide by zero")
    return a / b

you can do something as simple as

def divide(a, b):
    assert b != 0, "Cannot divide by zero"
    return a / b

It’s a one-liner, the messages are right there, and you’re already dipping your toes into testing rather than punting validation to a later point you might never have time for.