Using assertion in the Linux kernel

Question

I have a question about assert() in Linux: can I use it in the kernel?

If no, what techniques do you usually use if, for example I don\'t want to enter NULL

Answer 1

One option would be to use the macro BUG_ON(). It will printk a message, and then panic() (i.e. crash) the kernel.

http://kernelnewbies.org/KernelHacking-HOWTO/Debugging_Kernel

Of course, this should only be used as an error handling strategy of last resort (just like assert)...