Enable Java assertions (public service reminder)

Enable Java assertions tip: The main thing to remember is that assertions -- new to Java 1.4 -- are not enabled by default. That's true when compiling, and also when running your program.

When compiling your code with javac, you need to compile your source code using the "-source 1.4" option. Then, when running your program you need to specify the "-ea" of the java or javaw command to enable assertions.