In logic a precondition is a condition that has to be met, before a main argument can have any value.

In computer programming, a precondition is a condition or predicate that must always be true just prior to the execution of some section of code or before an operation in a formal specification. Preconditions are sometimes tested using Assertion (computing) within the code itself. Often, preconditions are simply included in the documentation of the affected section of code. If a precondition is violated, the effect of the section of code becomes undefined and thus may or may not carry out its intended work. Computer security problems can arise due to incorrect preconditions – e.g., a section of code that has the precondition that the input is correct, when it may not be.

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