How has assertions changed in recent Java versions?

Assertions have evolved over recent Java versions, improving developer productivity and program stability. In earlier Java releases, assertions were simply checks made during development to identify issues. Starting from Java 1.4, assertions became part of the language, allowing developers to use the `assert` keyword to enforce assumptions about their code. With Java 11 and beyond, the use of assertions has been refined, enabling more streamlined and effective debugging and testing practices.

Java 11 introduced enhancements including better support for dynamic class loading, which aids in assertions evaluation, and clarified documentation for how assertions interact with the existing Java features. Additionally, with the ongoing evolution of Java, the expectations and consequences of failing assertions have also been better defined.

In summary, assertions in Java have shifted from a basic error-checking mechanism to a more integrated part of the development process, improving program reliability and debugging capabilities.