Runtime Checks
Runtime checks are a programming concept where code verifies conditions, such as data types, values, or system states, during program execution to ensure correctness and prevent errors. They are commonly implemented through assertions, validation functions, or exception handling mechanisms in various programming languages. This practice helps catch bugs early, improve software reliability, and handle unexpected scenarios in real-time.
Developers should use runtime checks when building robust applications that require high reliability, such as in safety-critical systems, financial software, or user-facing products where errors can lead to data loss or security vulnerabilities. They are particularly useful for validating user inputs, checking preconditions and postconditions in functions, and debugging during development to catch issues that static analysis might miss.