assert.strictEqual

History

assert.strictEqual(actual, expected, message?): void

Attributes

actual:any

expected:any

message:string | Error | Function

Postfix printf-like arguments in case it's used as format string. If message is a function, it is called in case of a comparison failure. The function receives the actual and expected arguments and has to return a string that is going to be used as error message. printf-like format strings and functions are beneficial for performance reasons in case arguments are passed through. In addition, it allows nice formatting with ease.

Tests strict equality between the actual and expected parameters as determined by Object.is().

import assert from 'node:assert/strict';

assert.strictEqual(1, 2);
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: Expected inputs to be strictly equal:
//
// 1 !== 2

assert.strictEqual(1, 1);
// OK

assert.strictEqual('Hello foobar', 'Hello World!');
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: Expected inputs to be strictly equal:
// + actual - expected
//
// + 'Hello foobar'
// - 'Hello World!'
//          ^

const apples = 1;
const oranges = 2;
assert.strictEqual(apples, oranges, `apples ${apples} !== oranges ${oranges}`);
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: apples 1 !== oranges 2

assert.strictEqual(apples, oranges, 'apples %s !== oranges %s', apples, oranges);
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: apples 1 !== oranges 2

assert.strictEqual(1, '1', new TypeError('Inputs are not identical'));
// TypeError: Inputs are not identical

assert.strictEqual(apples, oranges, (actual, expected) => {
  // Do 'heavy' computations
  return `I expected ${expected} but I got ${actual}`;
});
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: I expected oranges but I got apples

JavaScript

const assert = require('node:assert/strict');

assert.strictEqual(1, 2);
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: Expected inputs to be strictly equal:
//
// 1 !== 2

assert.strictEqual(1, 1);
// OK

assert.strictEqual('Hello foobar', 'Hello World!');
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: Expected inputs to be strictly equal:
// + actual - expected
//
// + 'Hello foobar'
// - 'Hello World!'
//          ^

const apples = 1;
const oranges = 2;
assert.strictEqual(apples, oranges, `apples ${apples} !== oranges ${oranges}`);
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: apples 1 !== oranges 2

assert.strictEqual(apples, oranges, 'apples %s !== oranges %s', apples, oranges);
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: apples 1 !== oranges 2

assert.strictEqual(1, '1', new TypeError('Inputs are not identical'));
// TypeError: Inputs are not identical

assert.strictEqual(apples, oranges, (actual, expected) => {
  // Do 'heavy' computations
  return `I expected ${expected} but I got ${actual}`;
});
// AssertionError [ERR_ASSERTION]: I expected oranges but I got apples

JavaScript

If the values are not strictly equal, an AssertionError is thrown with a message property set equal to the value of the message parameter. If the message parameter is undefined, a default error message is assigned. If the message parameter is an instance of Error then it will be thrown instead of the AssertionError.