diff --git a/Lib/test/test_al.py b/Lib/test/test_al.py
index d11c7e51bae..4f86f3999b1 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_al.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_al.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
    Roger E. Masse
 """
 import al
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 alattrs = ['__doc__', '__name__', 'getdefault', 'getminmax', 'getname', 'getparams',
            'newconfig', 'openport', 'queryparams', 'setparams']
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_array.py b/Lib/test/test_array.py
index 087e65b5554..a20b870ce79 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_array.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_array.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
    Roger E. Masse
 """
 import array
-from test_support import verbose, TESTFN, unlink, TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TESTFN, unlink, TestFailed
 
 def main():
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_atexit.py b/Lib/test/test_atexit.py
index 517610b235b..f76f110d603 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_atexit.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_atexit.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Test the exit module
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import atexit
 
 def handler1():
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_audioop.py b/Lib/test/test_audioop.py
index 495a918b699..f74242df1bf 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_audioop.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_audioop.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Test audioop.
 import audioop
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 def gendata1():
     return '\0\1\2'
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_b2.py b/Lib/test/test_b2.py
index 98716521712..3af5e66a01e 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_b2.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_b2.py
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ if tuple(xrange(0,10,2)) != tuple(range(0,10,2)):
     raise TestFailed, 'xrange(0,10,2)'
 # regression tests for SourceForge bug #121695
 def _range_test(r):
-    assert r.start != r.stop, 'Test not valid for passed-in xrange object.'
+    verify(r.start != r.stop, 'Test not valid for passed-in xrange object.')
     if r.stop in r:
         raise TestFailed, 'r.stop in ' + `r`
     if r.stop-r.step not in r:
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_binascii.py b/Lib/test/test_binascii.py
index 20f54009822..f03fc5566b8 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_binascii.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_binascii.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """Test the binascii C module."""
 
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import binascii
 
 # Show module doc string
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ res = ""
 for line in lines:
     b = binascii.a2b_base64(line)
     res = res + b
-assert res == testdata
+verify(res == testdata)
 
 # Test base64 with random invalid characters sprinkled throughout
 # (This requires a new version of binascii.)
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ res = ""
 for line in map(addnoise, lines):
     b = binascii.a2b_base64(line)
     res = res + b
-assert res == testdata
+verify(res == testdata)
 
 # Test uu
 print "uu test"
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ res = ""
 for line in lines:
     b = binascii.a2b_uu(line)
     res = res + b
-assert res == testdata
+verify(res == testdata)
 
 # Test crc32()
 crc = binascii.crc32("Test the CRC-32 of")
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_binhex.py b/Lib/test/test_binhex.py
index a2b2a2c56be..4cee4fbf1e2 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_binhex.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_binhex.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 """
 import binhex
 import tempfile
-from test_support import verbose, TestSkipped
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestSkipped
 
 def test():
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_bsddb.py b/Lib/test/test_bsddb.py
index b59a4e0a115..e559b20e0a2 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_bsddb.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_bsddb.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 import os
 import bsddb
 import tempfile
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 def test(openmethod, what):
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_bufio.py b/Lib/test/test_bufio.py
index 168a6b251db..fb8fe10322a 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_bufio.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_bufio.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from test_support import TestFailed, TESTFN
 def drive_one(pattern, length):
     q, r = divmod(length, len(pattern))
     teststring = pattern * q + pattern[:r]
-    assert len(teststring) == length
+    verify(len(teststring) == length)
     try_one(teststring)
     try_one(teststring + "x")
     try_one(teststring[:-1])
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_cd.py b/Lib/test/test_cd.py
index 9a45a7d3a7d..7af2e0b07b1 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_cd.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_cd.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
    Roger E. Masse
 """
 import cd
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 cdattrs = ['BLOCKSIZE', 'CDROM', 'DATASIZE', 'ERROR', 'NODISC', 'PAUSED', 'PLAYING', 'READY',
            'STILL', '__doc__', '__name__', 'atime', 'audio', 'catalog', 'control', 'createparser', 'error',
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_cgi.py b/Lib/test/test_cgi.py
index 71e275f23a4..b1f5758a72f 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_cgi.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_cgi.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import cgi
 import os
 import sys
@@ -117,9 +118,9 @@ def main():
         # Test basic parsing
         print repr(orig)
         d = do_test(orig, "GET")
-        assert d == expect, "Error parsing %s" % repr(orig)
+        verify(d == expect, "Error parsing %s" % repr(orig))
         d = do_test(orig, "POST")
-        assert d == expect, "Error parsing %s" % repr(orig)
+        verify(d == expect, "Error parsing %s" % repr(orig))
 
         env = {'QUERY_STRING': orig}
         fcd = cgi.FormContentDict(env)
@@ -127,21 +128,21 @@ def main():
         fs = cgi.FieldStorage(environ=env)
         if type(expect) == type({}):
             # test dict interface
-            assert len(expect) == len(fcd)
-            assert norm(expect.keys()) == norm(fcd.keys())
-            assert norm(expect.values()) == norm(fcd.values())
-            assert norm(expect.items()) == norm(fcd.items())
-            assert fcd.get("nonexistent field", "default") == "default"
-            assert len(sd) == len(fs)
-            assert norm(sd.keys()) == norm(fs.keys())
-            assert fs.getvalue("nonexistent field", "default") == "default"
+            verify(len(expect) == len(fcd))
+            verify(norm(expect.keys()) == norm(fcd.keys()))
+            verify(norm(expect.values()) == norm(fcd.values()))
+            verify(norm(expect.items()) == norm(fcd.items()))
+            verify(fcd.get("nonexistent field", "default") == "default")
+            verify(len(sd) == len(fs))
+            verify(norm(sd.keys()) == norm(fs.keys()))
+            verify(fs.getvalue("nonexistent field", "default") == "default")
             # test individual fields
             for key in expect.keys():
                 expect_val = expect[key]
-                assert fcd.has_key(key)
-                assert norm(fcd[key]) == norm(expect[key])
-                assert fcd.get(key, "default") == fcd[key]
-                assert fs.has_key(key)
+                verify(fcd.has_key(key))
+                verify(norm(fcd[key]) == norm(expect[key]))
+                verify(fcd.get(key, "default") == fcd[key])
+                verify(fs.has_key(key))
                 if len(expect_val) > 1:
                     single_value = 0
                 else:
@@ -149,28 +150,28 @@ def main():
                 try:
                     val = sd[key]
                 except IndexError:
-                    assert not single_value
-                    assert fs.getvalue(key) == expect_val
+                    verify(not single_value)
+                    verify(fs.getvalue(key) == expect_val)
                 else:
-                    assert single_value
-                    assert val == expect_val[0]
-                    assert fs.getvalue(key) == expect_val[0]
-                assert norm(sd.getlist(key)) == norm(expect_val)
+                    verify(single_value)
+                    verify(val == expect_val[0])
+                    verify(fs.getvalue(key) == expect_val[0])
+                verify(norm(sd.getlist(key)) == norm(expect_val))
                 if single_value:
-                    assert norm(sd.values()) == \
-                           first_elts(norm(expect.values()))
-                    assert norm(sd.items()) == \
-                           first_second_elts(norm(expect.items()))
+                    verify(norm(sd.values()) == \
+                           first_elts(norm(expect.values())))
+                    verify(norm(sd.items()) == \
+                           first_second_elts(norm(expect.items())))
 
     # Test the weird FormContentDict classes
     env = {'QUERY_STRING': "x=1&y=2.0&z=2-3.%2b0&1=1abc"}
     expect = {'x': 1, 'y': 2.0, 'z': '2-3.+0', '1': '1abc'}
     d = cgi.InterpFormContentDict(env)
     for k, v in expect.items():
-        assert d[k] == v
+        verify(d[k] == v)
     for k, v in d.items():
-        assert expect[k] == v
-    assert norm(expect.values()) == norm(d.values())
+        verify(expect[k] == v)
+    verify(norm(expect.values()) == norm(d.values()))
 
     print "Testing log"
     cgi.initlog()
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_cl.py b/Lib/test/test_cl.py
index 26c5146863f..f8112eb5bcb 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_cl.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_cl.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
    Roger E. Masse
 """
 import cl
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 clattrs = ['ADDED_ALGORITHM_ERROR', 'ALAW', 'ALGORITHM_ID',
 'ALGORITHM_VERSION', 'AUDIO', 'AWARE_ERROR', 'AWARE_MPEG_AUDIO',
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_cmath.py b/Lib/test/test_cmath.py
index 509c739ea0d..9caa2164a2c 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_cmath.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_cmath.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     Roger E. Masse
 """
 import cmath
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 testdict = {'acos' : 1.0,
             'acosh' : 1.0,
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_compile.py b/Lib/test/test_compile.py
index 8905864a914..fa608b1b90f 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_compile.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_compile.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed
 
 if verbose:
     print 'Running test on duplicate arguments'
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_cookie.py b/Lib/test/test_cookie.py
index bf3e9af7219..8dd0f6f50a0 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_cookie.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_cookie.py
@@ -16,15 +16,15 @@ for data, dict in cases:
     print str(C)
     for k, v in dict.items():
         print ' ', k, repr( C[k].value ), repr(v)
-        assert C[k].value == v
+        verify(C[k].value == v)
         print C[k]
 
 C = Cookie.SimpleCookie()
 C.load('Customer="WILE_E_COYOTE"; Version=1; Path=/acme')
 
-assert C['Customer'].value == 'WILE_E_COYOTE'
-assert C['Customer']['version'] == '1'
-assert C['Customer']['path'] == '/acme'
+verify(C['Customer'].value == 'WILE_E_COYOTE')
+verify(C['Customer']['version'] == '1')
+verify(C['Customer']['path'] == '/acme')
 
 print C.output(['path'])
 print C.js_output()
@@ -33,6 +33,6 @@ print C.js_output(['path'])
 # Try cookie with quoted meta-data
 C = Cookie.SimpleCookie()
 C.load('Customer="WILE_E_COYOTE"; Version="1"; Path="/acme"')
-assert C['Customer'].value == 'WILE_E_COYOTE'
-assert C['Customer']['version'] == '1'
-assert C['Customer']['path'] == '/acme'
+verify(C['Customer'].value == 'WILE_E_COYOTE')
+verify(C['Customer']['version'] == '1')
+verify(C['Customer']['path'] == '/acme')
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_crypt.py b/Lib/test/test_crypt.py
index 9fb93dd8495..442040f6151 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_crypt.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_crypt.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
    Roger E. Masse
 """
 
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose    
 import crypt
 
 c = crypt.crypt('mypassword', 'ab')
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_dbm.py b/Lib/test/test_dbm.py
index 94949cf6fcb..6510125fe5c 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_dbm.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_dbm.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 """
 import dbm
 from dbm import error
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 filename = '/tmp/delete_me'
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_dl.py b/Lib/test/test_dl.py
index 60a5cf0cefc..c5b3bb4edd8 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_dl.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_dl.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 """
 
 import dl
-from test_support import verbose,TestSkipped
+from test_support import verify, verbose,TestSkipped
 
 sharedlibs = [
     ('/usr/lib/libc.so', 'getpid'),
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_errno.py b/Lib/test/test_errno.py
index cb1e729f8ec..2fb6b34eb50 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_errno.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_errno.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 """
 
 import errno
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 errors = ['E2BIG', 'EACCES', 'EADDRINUSE', 'EADDRNOTAVAIL', 'EADV',
           'EAFNOSUPPORT', 'EAGAIN', 'EALREADY', 'EBADE', 'EBADF',
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_extcall.py b/Lib/test/test_extcall.py
index b53ced75038..5b6c5ec3694 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_extcall.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_extcall.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 from UserList import UserList
 from test_support import TestFailed
 import string
@@ -79,11 +80,11 @@ g(*Nothing())
 # make sure the function call doesn't stomp on the dictionary?
 d = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
 d2 = d.copy()
-assert d == d2
+verify(d == d2)
 g(1, d=4, **d)
 print d
 print d2
-assert d == d2, "function call modified dictionary"
+verify(d == d2, "function call modified dictionary")
 
 # what about willful misconduct?
 def saboteur(**kw):
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ def saboteur(**kw):
     return kw
 d = {}
 kw = saboteur(a=1, **d)
-assert d == {}
+verify(d == {})
 # break the cycle
 del kw['x']
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_fcntl.py b/Lib/test/test_fcntl.py
index b6d4dfa72f0..a598a413e2b 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_fcntl.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_fcntl.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import struct
 import fcntl
 import FCNTL
 import os, sys
-from test_support import verbose, TESTFN
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TESTFN
 
 filename = TESTFN
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_file.py b/Lib/test/test_file.py
index d73167ad438..a85e07cacf7 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_file.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_file.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import os
 
-from test_support import TESTFN
+from test_support import verify, TESTFN
 from UserList import UserList
 
 # verify writelines with instance sequence
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ f.close()
 f = open(TESTFN, 'rb')
 buf = f.read()
 f.close()
-assert buf == '12'
+verify(buf == '12')
 
 # verify writelines with integers
 f = open(TESTFN, 'wb')
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_fork1.py b/Lib/test/test_fork1.py
index 4fd2662ca1a..bd3e9773542 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_fork1.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_fork1.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ That's OK, fork() is a grotesque hack anyway. ;-) [cjh]
 """
 
 import os, sys, time, thread
-from test_support import TestSkipped
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestSkipped
 
 try:
     if os.uname()[0] == "BeOS":
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ def main():
 
     a = alive.keys()
     a.sort()
-    assert a == range(NUM_THREADS)
+    verify(a == range(NUM_THREADS))
 
     prefork_lives = alive.copy()
 
@@ -68,8 +68,9 @@ def main():
     else:
         # Parent
         spid, status = os.waitpid(cpid, 0)
-        assert spid == cpid
-        assert status == 0, "cause = %d, exit = %d" % (status&0xff, status>>8)
+        verify(spid == cpid)
+        verify(status == 0,
+                "cause = %d, exit = %d" % (status&0xff, status>>8) )
         global stop
         # Tell threads to die
         stop = 1
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_format.py b/Lib/test/test_format.py
index f11eb54f764..a85c9f5702b 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_format.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_format.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import string, sys
 
 # test string formatting operator (I am not sure if this is being tested
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_gc.py b/Lib/test/test_gc.py
index f4714d57f15..1c008bee00d 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_gc.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_gc.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed
 import gc
 
 def run_test(name, thunk):
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ def test():
         print "disabling automatic collection"
     enabled = gc.isenabled()
     gc.disable()
-    assert not gc.isenabled()
+    verify(not gc.isenabled() )
     debug = gc.get_debug()
     gc.set_debug(debug & ~gc.DEBUG_LEAK) # this test is supposed to leak
 
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ def test():
             print "restoring automatic collection"
         # make sure to always test gc.enable()
         gc.enable()
-        assert gc.isenabled()
+        verify(gc.isenabled())
         if not enabled:
             gc.disable()
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_gdbm.py b/Lib/test/test_gdbm.py
index 67c67eb6e71..dfd05b75c45 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_gdbm.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_gdbm.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 import gdbm
 from gdbm import error
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed
 
 filename= '/tmp/delete_me'
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_getopt.py b/Lib/test/test_getopt.py
index 14602005935..f8989f12e67 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_getopt.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_getopt.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 import getopt
 from getopt import GetoptError
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 def expectException(teststr, expected, failure=AssertionError):
     """Executes a statement passed in teststr, and raises an exception
@@ -17,22 +17,22 @@ def expectException(teststr, expected, failure=AssertionError):
 
 if verbose:
     print 'Running tests on getopt.short_has_arg'
-assert getopt.short_has_arg('a', 'a:')
-assert not getopt.short_has_arg('a', 'a')
+verify(getopt.short_has_arg('a', 'a:'))
+verify(not getopt.short_has_arg('a', 'a'))
 expectException("tmp = getopt.short_has_arg('a', 'b')", GetoptError)
 expectException("tmp = getopt.short_has_arg('a', '')", GetoptError)
 
 if verbose:
     print 'Running tests on getopt.long_has_args'
 has_arg, option = getopt.long_has_args('abc', ['abc='])
-assert has_arg
-assert option == 'abc'
+verify(has_arg)
+verify(option == 'abc')
 has_arg, option = getopt.long_has_args('abc', ['abc'])
-assert not has_arg
-assert option == 'abc'
+verify(not has_arg)
+verify(option == 'abc')
 has_arg, option = getopt.long_has_args('abc', ['abcd'])
-assert not has_arg
-assert option == 'abcd'
+verify(not has_arg)
+verify(option == 'abcd')
 expectException("has_arg, option = getopt.long_has_args('abc', ['def'])",
                 GetoptError)
 expectException("has_arg, option = getopt.long_has_args('abc', [])",
@@ -44,20 +44,20 @@ expectException("has_arg, option = " + \
 if verbose:
     print 'Running tests on getopt.do_shorts'
 opts, args = getopt.do_shorts([], 'a', 'a', [])
-assert opts == [('-a', '')]
-assert args == []
+verify(opts == [('-a', '')])
+verify(args == [])
 opts, args = getopt.do_shorts([], 'a1', 'a:', [])
-assert opts == [('-a', '1')]
-assert args == []
+verify(opts == [('-a', '1')])
+verify(args == [])
 #opts, args = getopt.do_shorts([], 'a=1', 'a:', [])
-#assert opts == [('-a', '1')]
-#assert args == []
+#verify(opts == [('-a', '1')])
+#verify(args == [])
 opts, args = getopt.do_shorts([], 'a', 'a:', ['1'])
-assert opts == [('-a', '1')]
-assert args == []
+verify(opts == [('-a', '1')])
+verify(args == [])
 opts, args = getopt.do_shorts([], 'a', 'a:', ['1', '2'])
-assert opts == [('-a', '1')]
-assert args == ['2']
+verify(opts == [('-a', '1')])
+verify(args == ['2'])
 expectException("opts, args = getopt.do_shorts([], 'a1', 'a', [])",
                 GetoptError)
 expectException("opts, args = getopt.do_shorts([], 'a', 'a:', [])",
@@ -66,23 +66,23 @@ expectException("opts, args = getopt.do_shorts([], 'a', 'a:', [])",
 if verbose:
     print 'Running tests on getopt.do_longs'
 opts, args = getopt.do_longs([], 'abc', ['abc'], [])
-assert opts == [('--abc', '')]
-assert args == []
+verify(opts == [('--abc', '')])
+verify(args == [])
 opts, args = getopt.do_longs([], 'abc=1', ['abc='], [])
-assert opts == [('--abc', '1')]
-assert args == []
+verify(opts == [('--abc', '1')])
+verify(args == [])
 opts, args = getopt.do_longs([], 'abc=1', ['abcd='], [])
-assert opts == [('--abcd', '1')]
-assert args == []
+verify(opts == [('--abcd', '1')])
+verify(args == [])
 opts, args = getopt.do_longs([], 'abc', ['ab', 'abc', 'abcd'], [])
-assert opts == [('--abc', '')]
-assert args == []
+verify(opts == [('--abc', '')])
+verify(args == [])
 # Much like the preceding, except with a non-alpha character ("-") in
 # option name that precedes "="; failed in
 # http://sourceforge.net/bugs/?func=detailbug&bug_id=126863&group_id=5470
 opts, args = getopt.do_longs([], 'foo=42', ['foo-bar', 'foo=',], [])
-assert opts == [('--foo', '42')]
-assert args == []
+verify(opts == [('--foo', '42')])
+verify(args == [])
 expectException("opts, args = getopt.do_longs([], 'abc=1', ['abc'], [])",
                 GetoptError)
 expectException("opts, args = getopt.do_longs([], 'abc', ['abc='], [])",
@@ -96,11 +96,11 @@ cmdline = ['-a', '1', '-b', '--alpha=2', '--beta', '-a', '3', '-a', '',
 if verbose:
     print 'Running tests on getopt.getopt'
 opts, args = getopt.getopt(cmdline, 'a:b', ['alpha=', 'beta'])
-assert opts == [('-a', '1'), ('-b', ''), ('--alpha', '2'), ('--beta', ''),
-                ('-a', '3'), ('-a', ''), ('--beta', '')]
+verify(opts == [('-a', '1'), ('-b', ''), ('--alpha', '2'), ('--beta', ''),
+                ('-a', '3'), ('-a', ''), ('--beta', '')] )
 # Note ambiguity of ('-b', '') and ('-a', '') above. This must be
 # accounted for in the code that calls getopt().
-assert args == ['arg1', 'arg2']
+verify(args == ['arg1', 'arg2'])
 
 expectException(
     "opts, args = getopt.getopt(cmdline, 'a:b', ['alpha', 'beta'])",
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_gl.py b/Lib/test/test_gl.py
index 61eaa835b4a..72b08953c5b 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_gl.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_gl.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     taken mostly from the documentation.
     Roger E. Masse
 """
-from test_support import verbose, TestSkipped
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestSkipped
 import gl, GL, time
 
 glattrs = ['RGBcolor', 'RGBcursor', 'RGBmode', 'RGBrange', 'RGBwritemask',
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_grammar.py b/Lib/test/test_grammar.py
index b990c833941..503cc80c0bf 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_grammar.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_grammar.py
@@ -83,18 +83,18 @@ x = 3.1e4
 
 print '1.1.3 String literals'
 
-##def assert(s):
+##def verify(s):
 ##      if not s: raise TestFailed, 'see traceback'
 
-x = ''; y = ""; assert(len(x) == 0 and x == y)
-x = '\''; y = "'"; assert(len(x) == 1 and x == y and ord(x) == 39)
-x = '"'; y = "\""; assert(len(x) == 1 and x == y and ord(x) == 34)
+x = ''; y = ""; verify(len(x) == 0 and x == y)
+x = '\''; y = "'"; verify(len(x) == 1 and x == y and ord(x) == 39)
+x = '"'; y = "\""; verify(len(x) == 1 and x == y and ord(x) == 34)
 x = "doesn't \"shrink\" does it"
 y = 'doesn\'t "shrink" does it'
-assert(len(x) == 24 and x == y)
+verify(len(x) == 24 and x == y)
 x = "does \"shrink\" doesn't it"
 y = 'does "shrink" doesn\'t it'
-assert(len(x) == 24 and x == y)
+verify(len(x) == 24 and x == y)
 x = """
 The "quick"
 brown fox
@@ -102,25 +102,25 @@ jumps over
 the 'lazy' dog.
 """
 y = '\nThe "quick"\nbrown fox\njumps over\nthe \'lazy\' dog.\n'
-assert(x == y)
+verify(x == y)
 y = '''
 The "quick"
 brown fox
 jumps over
 the 'lazy' dog.
-'''; assert(x == y)
+'''; verify(x == y)
 y = "\n\
 The \"quick\"\n\
 brown fox\n\
 jumps over\n\
 the 'lazy' dog.\n\
-"; assert(x == y)
+"; verify(x == y)
 y = '\n\
 The \"quick\"\n\
 brown fox\n\
 jumps over\n\
 the \'lazy\' dog.\n\
-'; assert(x == y)
+'; verify(x == y)
 
 
 print '1.2 Grammar'
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_grp.py b/Lib/test/test_grp.py
index b737da97287..eda39d5bb24 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_grp.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_grp.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 """
 
 import grp
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 groups = grp.getgrall()
 if verbose:
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_gzip.py b/Lib/test/test_gzip.py
index 7edc61794ae..81912678579 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_gzip.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_gzip.py
@@ -18,13 +18,13 @@ data2 = """/* zlibmodule.c -- gzip-compatible data compression */
 f = gzip.GzipFile(filename, 'wb') ; f.write(data1 * 50) ; f.close()
 
 f = gzip.GzipFile(filename, 'rb') ; d = f.read() ; f.close()
-assert d == data1*50
+verify(d == data1*50)
 
 # Append to the previous file
 f = gzip.GzipFile(filename, 'ab') ; f.write(data2 * 15) ; f.close()
 
 f = gzip.GzipFile(filename, 'rb') ; d = f.read() ; f.close()
-assert d == (data1*50) + (data2*15)
+verify(d == (data1*50) + (data2*15))
 
 # Try .readline() with varying line lengths
 
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ line_length = 0
 while 1:
     L = f.readline( line_length )
     if L == "" and line_length != 0: break
-    assert len(L) <= line_length
+    verify(len(L) <= line_length)
     line_length = (line_length + 1) % 50
 f.close()
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_imageop.py b/Lib/test/test_imageop.py
index 7a6981e38be..3a63e3cbd75 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_imageop.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_imageop.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
    Roger E. Masse
 """
 
-from test_support import verbose, unlink
+from test_support import verify, verbose, unlink
 
 import imageop, uu
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_imgfile.py b/Lib/test/test_imgfile.py
index 8eb330de376..5606bb0153a 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_imgfile.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_imgfile.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
    Roger E. Masse
 """
 
-from test_support import verbose, unlink, findfile
+from test_support import verify, verbose, unlink, findfile
 
 import imgfile, uu, os
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_long.py b/Lib/test/test_long.py
index 5e0e001f029..1059ef6d8cf 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_long.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_long.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import TestFailed, verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed
 from string import join
 from random import random, randint
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def check(ok, *args):
 # The sign of the number is also random.
 
 def getran(ndigits):
-    assert ndigits > 0
+    verify(ndigits > 0)
     nbits_hi = ndigits * SHIFT
     nbits_lo = nbits_hi - SHIFT + 1
     answer = 0L
@@ -50,13 +50,13 @@ def getran(ndigits):
     while nbits < nbits_lo:
         bits = (r >> 1) + 1
         bits = min(bits, nbits_hi - nbits)
-        assert 1 <= bits <= SHIFT
+        verify(1 <= bits <= SHIFT)
         nbits = nbits + bits
         answer = answer << bits
         if r & 1:
             answer = answer | ((1 << bits) - 1)
         r = int(random() * (SHIFT * 2))
-    assert nbits_lo <= nbits <= nbits_hi
+    verify(nbits_lo <= nbits <= nbits_hi)
     if random() < 0.5:
         answer = -answer
     return answer
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_minidom.py b/Lib/test/test_minidom.py
index ee105c24d70..72f3e40ad90 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_minidom.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_minidom.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import xml.parsers.expat
 import os.path
 import sys
 import traceback
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     base = sys.argv[0]
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_mmap.py b/Lib/test/test_mmap.py
index 7c49cf2acb0..46739132c09 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_mmap.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_mmap.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+from test_support import verify
 import mmap
 import string, os, re, sys
 
@@ -21,15 +22,15 @@ def test_both():
 
     print type(m)  # SF bug 128713:  segfaulted on Linux
     print '  Position of foo:', string.find(m, 'foo') / float(PAGESIZE), 'pages'
-    assert string.find(m, 'foo') == PAGESIZE
+    verify(string.find(m, 'foo') == PAGESIZE)
 
     print '  Length of file:', len(m) / float(PAGESIZE), 'pages'
-    assert len(m) == 2*PAGESIZE
+    verify(len(m) == 2*PAGESIZE)
 
     print '  Contents of byte 0:', repr(m[0])
-    assert m[0] == '\0'
+    verify(m[0] == '\0')
     print '  Contents of first 3 bytes:', repr(m[0:3])
-    assert m[0:3] == '\0\0\0'
+    verify(m[0:3] == '\0\0\0')
 
     # Modify the file's content
     print "\n  Modifying file's content..."
@@ -38,11 +39,11 @@ def test_both():
 
     # Check that the modification worked
     print '  Contents of byte 0:', repr(m[0])
-    assert m[0] == '3'
+    verify(m[0] == '3')
     print '  Contents of first 3 bytes:', repr(m[0:3])
-    assert m[0:3] == '3\0\0'
+    verify(m[0:3] == '3\0\0')
     print '  Contents of second page:',  repr(m[PAGESIZE-1 : PAGESIZE + 7])
-    assert m[PAGESIZE-1 : PAGESIZE + 7] == '\0foobar\0'
+    verify(m[PAGESIZE-1 : PAGESIZE + 7] == '\0foobar\0')
 
     m.flush()
 
@@ -57,19 +58,19 @@ def test_both():
         print '  Regex match on mmap (page start, length of match):',
         print start / float(PAGESIZE), length
 
-        assert start == PAGESIZE
-        assert end == PAGESIZE + 6
+        verify(start == PAGESIZE)
+        verify(end == PAGESIZE + 6)
 
     # test seeking around (try to overflow the seek implementation)
     m.seek(0,0)
     print '  Seek to zeroth byte'
-    assert m.tell() == 0
+    verify(m.tell() == 0)
     m.seek(42,1)
     print '  Seek to 42nd byte'
-    assert m.tell() == 42
+    verify(m.tell() == 42)
     m.seek(0,2)
     print '  Seek to last byte'
-    assert m.tell() == len(m)
+    verify(m.tell() == len(m))
 
     print '  Try to seek to negative position...'
     try:
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@ def test_both():
     except ValueError:
         pass
     else:
-        assert 0, 'expected a ValueError but did not get it'
+        verify(0, 'expected a ValueError but did not get it')
 
     print '  Try to seek beyond end of mmap...'
     try:
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ def test_both():
     except ValueError:
         pass
     else:
-        assert 0, 'expected a ValueError but did not get it'
+        verify(0, 'expected a ValueError but did not get it')
 
     print '  Try to seek to negative position...'
     try:
@@ -93,7 +94,7 @@ def test_both():
     except ValueError:
         pass
     else:
-        assert 0, 'expected a ValueError but did not get it'
+        verify(0, 'expected a ValueError but did not get it')
 
     # Try resizing map
     print '  Attempting resize()'
@@ -106,14 +107,15 @@ def test_both():
         pass
     else:
         # resize() is supported
-        assert len(m) == 512, "len(m) is %d, but expecting 512" % (len(m),)
+        verify(len(m) == 512,
+                "len(m) is %d, but expecting 512" % (len(m),) )
         # Check that we can no longer seek beyond the new size.
         try:
             m.seek(513,0)
         except ValueError:
             pass
         else:
-            assert 0, 'Could seek beyond the new size'
+            verify(0, 'Could seek beyond the new size')
 
     m.close()
     os.unlink("foo")
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_new.py b/Lib/test/test_new.py
index 70ea38bea5e..929155cbb6e 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_new.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_new.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import sys
 import new
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_nis.py b/Lib/test/test_nis.py
index e1670d16e54..56382c5de11 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_nis.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_nis.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed, TestSkipped
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed, TestSkipped
 import nis
 
 print 'nis.maps()'
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_openpty.py b/Lib/test/test_openpty.py
index fb817193d51..cd0191f1946 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_openpty.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_openpty.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Test to see if openpty works. (But don't worry if it isn't available.)
 
 import os
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed, TestSkipped
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed, TestSkipped
 
 try:
     if verbose:
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_parser.py b/Lib/test/test_parser.py
index 6885767b524..891855a6eae 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_parser.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_parser.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import parser
 import pprint
 import sys
 
-from test_support import TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, TestFailed
 
 #
 #  First, we test that we can generate trees from valid source fragments,
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_pkg.py b/Lib/test/test_pkg.py
index 5456100716a..80a11d8ce9e 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_pkg.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_pkg.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import sys, os, string, tempfile, traceback
 from os import mkdir, rmdir             # Can't test if these fail
 del mkdir, rmdir
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed
 
 # Helpers to create and destroy hierarchies.
 
@@ -188,16 +188,16 @@ print dir()
 t7, sub, subsub = None, None, None
 import t7 as tas
 print dir(tas)
-assert not t7
+verify(not t7)
 from t7 import sub as subpar
 print dir(subpar)
-assert not t7 and not sub
+verify(not t7 and not sub)
 from t7.sub import subsub as subsubsub
 print dir(subsubsub)
-assert not t7 and not sub and not subsub
+verify(not t7 and not sub and not subsub)
 from t7.sub.subsub import spam as ham
 print "t7.sub.subsub.spam =", ham
-assert not t7 and not sub and not subsub
+verify(not t7 and not sub and not subsub)
 """),
 
 ]
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_poll.py b/Lib/test/test_poll.py
index 576e4ccb0f9..f6d427ccd5f 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_poll.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_poll.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Test case for the os.poll() function
 
 import sys, os, select, random
-from test_support import verbose, TestSkipped, TESTFN
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestSkipped, TESTFN
 
 try:
     select.poll
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def test_poll1():
             raise RuntimeError, "no pipes ready for reading"
         rd = random.choice(ready_readers)
         buf = os.read(rd, MSG_LEN)
-        assert len(buf) == MSG_LEN
+        verify(len(buf) == MSG_LEN)
         print buf
         os.close(r2w[rd]) ; os.close( rd )
         p.unregister( r2w[rd] )
@@ -75,17 +75,17 @@ def poll_unit_tests():
     p = select.poll()
     p.register(FD)
     r = p.poll()
-    assert r[0] == (FD, select.POLLNVAL)
+    verify(r[0] == (FD, select.POLLNVAL))
 
     f = open(TESTFN, 'w')
     fd = f.fileno()
     p = select.poll()
     p.register(f)
     r = p.poll()
-    assert r[0][0] == fd
+    verify(r[0][0] == fd)
     f.close()
     r = p.poll()
-    assert r[0] == (fd, select.POLLNVAL)
+    verify(r[0] == (fd, select.POLLNVAL))
     os.unlink(TESTFN)
 
     # type error for invalid arguments
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_pty.py b/Lib/test/test_pty.py
index 5ea7e6f7d08..03543128acc 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_pty.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_pty.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import pty, os, sys, string
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed, TestSkipped
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed, TestSkipped
 
 TEST_STRING_1 = "I wish to buy a fish license."
 TEST_STRING_2 = "For my pet fish, Eric."
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_pwd.py b/Lib/test/test_pwd.py
index 7425f53b384..d179ed01864 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_pwd.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_pwd.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import pwd
 import string
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_re.py b/Lib/test/test_re.py
index 4d52c147113..8ab6c7f8721 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_re.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_re.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import sys
 sys.path = ['.'] + sys.path
 
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed
 import re
 import sys, os, string, traceback
 
@@ -11,20 +11,20 @@ if verbose:
     print 'Running tests on re.search and re.match'
 
 try:
-    assert re.search('x*', 'axx').span(0) == (0, 0)
-    assert re.search('x*', 'axx').span() == (0, 0)
-    assert re.search('x+', 'axx').span(0) == (1, 3)
-    assert re.search('x+', 'axx').span() == (1, 3)
-    assert re.search('x', 'aaa') is None
+    verify(re.search('x*', 'axx').span(0) == (0, 0))
+    verify(re.search('x*', 'axx').span() == (0, 0))
+    verify(re.search('x+', 'axx').span(0) == (1, 3))
+    verify(re.search('x+', 'axx').span() == (1, 3))
+    verify(re.search('x', 'aaa') is None)
 except:
     raise TestFailed, "re.search"
 
 try:
-    assert re.match('a*', 'xxx').span(0) == (0, 0)
-    assert re.match('a*', 'xxx').span() == (0, 0)
-    assert re.match('x*', 'xxxa').span(0) == (0, 3)
-    assert re.match('x*', 'xxxa').span() == (0, 3)
-    assert re.match('a+', 'xxx') is None
+    verify(re.match('a*', 'xxx').span(0) == (0, 0))
+    verify(re.match('a*', 'xxx').span() == (0, 0))
+    verify(re.match('x*', 'xxxa').span(0) == (0, 3))
+    verify(re.match('x*', 'xxxa').span() == (0, 3))
+    verify(re.match('a+', 'xxx') is None)
 except:
     raise TestFailed, "re.search"
 
@@ -32,40 +32,40 @@ if verbose:
     print 'Running tests on re.sub'
 
 try:
-    assert re.sub("(?i)b+", "x", "bbbb BBBB") == 'x x'
+    verify(re.sub("(?i)b+", "x", "bbbb BBBB") == 'x x')
 
     def bump_num(matchobj):
         int_value = int(matchobj.group(0))
         return str(int_value + 1)
 
-    assert re.sub(r'\d+', bump_num, '08.2 -2 23x99y') == '9.3 -3 24x100y'
-    assert re.sub(r'\d+', bump_num, '08.2 -2 23x99y', 3) == '9.3 -3 23x99y'
+    verify(re.sub(r'\d+', bump_num, '08.2 -2 23x99y') == '9.3 -3 24x100y')
+    verify(re.sub(r'\d+', bump_num, '08.2 -2 23x99y', 3) == '9.3 -3 23x99y')
 
-    assert re.sub('.', lambda m: r"\n", 'x') == '\\n'
-    assert re.sub('.', r"\n", 'x') == '\n'
+    verify(re.sub('.', lambda m: r"\n", 'x') == '\\n')
+    verify(re.sub('.', r"\n", 'x') == '\n')
 
     s = r"\1\1"
-    assert re.sub('(.)', s, 'x') == 'xx'
-    assert re.sub('(.)', re.escape(s), 'x') == s
-    assert re.sub('(.)', lambda m: s, 'x') == s
+    verify(re.sub('(.)', s, 'x') == 'xx')
+    verify(re.sub('(.)', re.escape(s), 'x') == s)
+    verify(re.sub('(.)', lambda m: s, 'x') == s)
 
-    assert re.sub('(?P<a>x)', '\g<a>\g<a>', 'xx') == 'xxxx'
-    assert re.sub('(?P<a>x)', '\g<a>\g<1>', 'xx') == 'xxxx'
-    assert re.sub('(?P<unk>x)', '\g<unk>\g<unk>', 'xx') == 'xxxx'
-    assert re.sub('(?P<unk>x)', '\g<1>\g<1>', 'xx') == 'xxxx'
+    verify(re.sub('(?P<a>x)', '\g<a>\g<a>', 'xx') == 'xxxx')
+    verify(re.sub('(?P<a>x)', '\g<a>\g<1>', 'xx') == 'xxxx')
+    verify(re.sub('(?P<unk>x)', '\g<unk>\g<unk>', 'xx') == 'xxxx')
+    verify(re.sub('(?P<unk>x)', '\g<1>\g<1>', 'xx') == 'xxxx')
 
-    assert re.sub('a', r'\t\n\v\r\f\a\b\B\Z\a\A\w\W\s\S\d\D', 'a') == '\t\n\v\r\f\a\b\\B\\Z\a\\A\\w\\W\\s\\S\\d\\D'
-    assert re.sub('a', '\t\n\v\r\f\a', 'a') == '\t\n\v\r\f\a'
-    assert re.sub('a', '\t\n\v\r\f\a', 'a') == (chr(9)+chr(10)+chr(11)+chr(13)+chr(12)+chr(7))
+    verify(re.sub('a', r'\t\n\v\r\f\a\b\B\Z\a\A\w\W\s\S\d\D', 'a') == '\t\n\v\r\f\a\b\\B\\Z\a\\A\\w\\W\\s\\S\\d\\D')
+    verify(re.sub('a', '\t\n\v\r\f\a', 'a') == '\t\n\v\r\f\a')
+    verify(re.sub('a', '\t\n\v\r\f\a', 'a') == (chr(9)+chr(10)+chr(11)+chr(13)+chr(12)+chr(7)))
 
-    assert re.sub('^\s*', 'X', 'test') == 'Xtest'
+    verify(re.sub('^\s*', 'X', 'test') == 'Xtest')
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, "re.sub"
 
 
 try:
-    assert re.sub('a', 'b', 'aaaaa') == 'bbbbb'
-    assert re.sub('a', 'b', 'aaaaa', 1) == 'baaaa'
+    verify(re.sub('a', 'b', 'aaaaa') == 'bbbbb')
+    verify(re.sub('a', 'b', 'aaaaa', 1) == 'baaaa')
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, "qualified re.sub"
 
@@ -132,11 +132,11 @@ if verbose:
     print 'Running tests on re.subn'
 
 try:
-    assert re.subn("(?i)b+", "x", "bbbb BBBB") == ('x x', 2)
-    assert re.subn("b+", "x", "bbbb BBBB") == ('x BBBB', 1)
-    assert re.subn("b+", "x", "xyz") == ('xyz', 0)
-    assert re.subn("b*", "x", "xyz") == ('xxxyxzx', 4)
-    assert re.subn("b*", "x", "xyz", 2) == ('xxxyz', 2)
+    verify(re.subn("(?i)b+", "x", "bbbb BBBB") == ('x x', 2))
+    verify(re.subn("b+", "x", "bbbb BBBB") == ('x BBBB', 1))
+    verify(re.subn("b+", "x", "xyz") == ('xyz', 0))
+    verify(re.subn("b*", "x", "xyz") == ('xxxyxzx', 4))
+    verify(re.subn("b*", "x", "xyz", 2) == ('xxxyz', 2))
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, "re.subn"
 
@@ -144,24 +144,24 @@ if verbose:
     print 'Running tests on re.split'
 
 try:
-    assert re.split(":", ":a:b::c") == ['', 'a', 'b', '', 'c']
-    assert re.split(":*", ":a:b::c") == ['', 'a', 'b', 'c']
-    assert re.split("(:*)", ":a:b::c") == ['', ':', 'a', ':', 'b', '::', 'c']
-    assert re.split("(?::*)", ":a:b::c") == ['', 'a', 'b', 'c']
-    assert re.split("(:)*", ":a:b::c") == ['', ':', 'a', ':', 'b', ':', 'c']
-    assert re.split("([b:]+)", ":a:b::c") == ['', ':', 'a', ':b::', 'c']
-    assert re.split("(b)|(:+)", ":a:b::c") == \
-           ['', None, ':', 'a', None, ':', '', 'b', None, '', None, '::', 'c']
-    assert re.split("(?:b)|(?::+)", ":a:b::c") == ['', 'a', '', '', 'c']
+    verify(re.split(":", ":a:b::c") == ['', 'a', 'b', '', 'c'])
+    verify(re.split(":*", ":a:b::c") == ['', 'a', 'b', 'c'])
+    verify(re.split("(:*)", ":a:b::c") == ['', ':', 'a', ':', 'b', '::', 'c'])
+    verify(re.split("(?::*)", ":a:b::c") == ['', 'a', 'b', 'c'])
+    verify(re.split("(:)*", ":a:b::c") == ['', ':', 'a', ':', 'b', ':', 'c'])
+    verify(re.split("([b:]+)", ":a:b::c") == ['', ':', 'a', ':b::', 'c'])
+    verify(re.split("(b)|(:+)", ":a:b::c") == \
+           ['', None, ':', 'a', None, ':', '', 'b', None, '', None, '::', 'c'] )
+    verify(re.split("(?:b)|(?::+)", ":a:b::c") == ['', 'a', '', '', 'c'])
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, "re.split"
 
 try:
-    assert re.split(":", ":a:b::c", 2) == ['', 'a', 'b::c']
-    assert re.split(':', 'a:b:c:d', 2) == ['a', 'b', 'c:d']
+    verify(re.split(":", ":a:b::c", 2) == ['', 'a', 'b::c'])
+    verify(re.split(':', 'a:b:c:d', 2) == ['a', 'b', 'c:d'])
 
-    assert re.split("(:)", ":a:b::c", 2) == ['', ':', 'a', ':', 'b::c']
-    assert re.split("(:*)", ":a:b::c", 2) == ['', ':', 'a', ':', 'b::c']
+    verify(re.split("(:)", ":a:b::c", 2) == ['', ':', 'a', ':', 'b::c'])
+    verify(re.split("(:*)", ":a:b::c", 2) == ['', ':', 'a', ':', 'b::c'])
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, "qualified re.split"
 
@@ -169,12 +169,12 @@ if verbose:
     print "Running tests on re.findall"
 
 try:
-    assert re.findall(":+", "abc") == []
-    assert re.findall(":+", "a:b::c:::d") == [":", "::", ":::"]
-    assert re.findall("(:+)", "a:b::c:::d") == [":", "::", ":::"]
-    assert re.findall("(:)(:*)", "a:b::c:::d") == [(":", ""),
+    verify(re.findall(":+", "abc") == [])
+    verify(re.findall(":+", "a:b::c:::d") == [":", "::", ":::"])
+    verify(re.findall("(:+)", "a:b::c:::d") == [":", "::", ":::"])
+    verify(re.findall("(:)(:*)", "a:b::c:::d") == [(":", ""),
                                                    (":", ":"),
-                                                   (":", "::")]
+                                                   (":", "::")] )
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, "re.findall"
 
@@ -183,29 +183,31 @@ if verbose:
 
 try:
     # No groups at all
-    m = re.match('a', 'a') ; assert m.groups() == ()
+    m = re.match('a', 'a') ; verify(m.groups() == ())
     # A single group
-    m = re.match('(a)', 'a') ; assert m.groups() == ('a',)
+    m = re.match('(a)', 'a') ; verify(m.groups() == ('a',))
 
     pat = re.compile('((a)|(b))(c)?')
-    assert pat.match('a').groups() == ('a', 'a', None, None)
-    assert pat.match('b').groups() == ('b', None, 'b', None)
-    assert pat.match('ac').groups() == ('a', 'a', None, 'c')
-    assert pat.match('bc').groups() == ('b', None, 'b', 'c')
-    assert pat.match('bc').groups("") == ('b', "", 'b', 'c')
+    verify(pat.match('a').groups() == ('a', 'a', None, None))
+    verify(pat.match('b').groups() == ('b', None, 'b', None))
+    verify(pat.match('ac').groups() == ('a', 'a', None, 'c'))
+    verify(pat.match('bc').groups() == ('b', None, 'b', 'c'))
+    verify(pat.match('bc').groups("") == ('b', "", 'b', 'c'))
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, "match .groups() method"
 
 try:
     # A single group
     m = re.match('(a)', 'a')
-    assert m.group(0) == 'a' ; assert m.group(0) == 'a'
-    assert m.group(1) == 'a' ; assert m.group(1, 1) == ('a', 'a')
+    verify(m.group(0) == 'a')
+    verify(m.group(0) == 'a')
+    verify(m.group(1) == 'a')
+    verify(m.group(1, 1) == ('a', 'a'))
 
     pat = re.compile('(?:(?P<a1>a)|(?P<b2>b))(?P<c3>c)?')
-    assert pat.match('a').group(1, 2, 3) == ('a', None, None)
-    assert pat.match('b').group('a1', 'b2', 'c3') == (None, 'b', None)
-    assert pat.match('ac').group(1, 'b2', 3) == ('a', None, 'c')
+    verify(pat.match('a').group(1, 2, 3) == ('a', None, None))
+    verify(pat.match('b').group('a1', 'b2', 'c3') == (None, 'b', None))
+    verify(pat.match('ac').group(1, 'b2', 3) == ('a', None, 'c'))
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, "match .group() method"
 
@@ -216,12 +218,12 @@ try:
     p=""
     for i in range(0, 256):
         p = p + chr(i)
-        assert re.match(re.escape(chr(i)), chr(i)) is not None
-        assert re.match(re.escape(chr(i)), chr(i)).span() == (0,1)
+        verify(re.match(re.escape(chr(i)), chr(i)) is not None)
+        verify(re.match(re.escape(chr(i)), chr(i)).span() == (0,1))
 
     pat=re.compile( re.escape(p) )
-    assert pat.match(p) is not None
-    assert pat.match(p).span() == (0,256)
+    verify(pat.match(p) is not None)
+    verify(pat.match(p).span() == (0,256))
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, "re.escape"
 
@@ -235,11 +237,11 @@ s = pickle.dumps(pat)
 pat = pickle.loads(s)
 
 try:
-    assert re.I == re.IGNORECASE
-    assert re.L == re.LOCALE
-    assert re.M == re.MULTILINE
-    assert re.S == re.DOTALL
-    assert re.X == re.VERBOSE
+    verify(re.I == re.IGNORECASE)
+    verify(re.L == re.LOCALE)
+    verify(re.M == re.MULTILINE)
+    verify(re.S == re.DOTALL)
+    verify(re.X == re.VERBOSE)
 except AssertionError:
     raise TestFailed, 're module constants'
 
@@ -255,7 +257,7 @@ if verbose:
 # Try nasty case that overflows the straightforward recursive
 # implementation of repeated groups.
 try:
-    assert re.match('(x)*', 50000*'x').span() == (0, 50000)
+    verify(re.match('(x)*', 50000*'x').span() == (0, 50000))
 except RuntimeError, v:
     print v
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_regex.py b/Lib/test/test_regex.py
index a32482152c1..a49abead61e 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_regex.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_regex.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import warnings
 warnings.filterwarnings("ignore", "the regex module is deprecated",
                         DeprecationWarning, __name__)
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_rfc822.py b/Lib/test/test_rfc822.py
index 967b91b70de..c6df925d9af 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_rfc822.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_rfc822.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import rfc822, sys
 try:
     from cStringIO import StringIO
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_rgbimg.py b/Lib/test/test_rgbimg.py
index f2622e40674..b078d47e5b0 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_rgbimg.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_rgbimg.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 import rgbimg, os, uu
 
-from test_support import verbose, unlink, findfile
+from test_support import verify, verbose, unlink, findfile
 
 class error(Exception):
     pass
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_sax.py b/Lib/test/test_sax.py
index e6f2755bbd8..c282c172f66 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_sax.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_sax.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from xml.sax.saxutils import XMLGenerator, escape, XMLFilterBase
 from xml.sax.expatreader import create_parser
 from xml.sax.xmlreader import InputSource, AttributesImpl, AttributesNSImpl
 from cStringIO import StringIO
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed, findfile
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed, findfile
 
 # ===== Utilities
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_select.py b/Lib/test/test_select.py
index d5bcfd55472..be12923430c 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_select.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_select.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Testing select module
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import select
 import os
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_signal.py b/Lib/test/test_signal.py
index a6c32b46c0b..9d4c277e83b 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_signal.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_signal.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Test the signal module
-from test_support import verbose, TestSkipped
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestSkipped
 import signal
 import os
 import sys
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_socket.py b/Lib/test/test_socket.py
index fe3793615d2..dab432f24e0 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_socket.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_socket.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 #       sktobj.shutdown()
 
 
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed
 import socket
 import os
 import time
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_sre.py b/Lib/test/test_sre.py
index 88c0d62e8db..0aa834971d8 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_sre.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_sre.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 import sys
 sys.path=['.']+sys.path
 
-from test_support import verbose, TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestFailed
 import sre
 import sys, os, string, traceback
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_strftime.py b/Lib/test/test_strftime.py
index 7f5cb8035e4..73de2d34c74 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_strftime.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_strftime.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 # Sanity checker for time.strftime
 
 import time, calendar, sys, string, os, re
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 def main():
     global verbose
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_string.py b/Lib/test/test_string.py
index 3574719df48..fd1cbae14fc 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_string.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_string.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose, TestSkipped
+from test_support import verify, verbose, TestSkipped
 import string_tests
 import string, sys
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_strop.py b/Lib/test/test_strop.py
index 57700460da3..d444f3d523e 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_strop.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_strop.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import strop, sys
 
 def test(name, input, output, *args):
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_sunaudiodev.py b/Lib/test/test_sunaudiodev.py
index af187613108..4083c689d9a 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_sunaudiodev.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_sunaudiodev.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose, findfile, TestFailed
+from test_support import verify, verbose, findfile, TestFailed
 import sunaudiodev
 import os
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_support.py b/Lib/test/test_support.py
index a24b3ce6b8e..8dcec30eba6 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_support.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_support.py
@@ -71,3 +71,15 @@ def findfile(file, here=__file__):
         fn = os.path.join(dn, file)
         if os.path.exists(fn): return fn
     return file
+
+def verify(condition, reason='test failed'):
+	
+	""" Verify that condition is true. If not, raise an
+	    AssertionError.
+
+	    The optinal argument reason can be given to provide
+	    a better error text.
+	
+	"""
+	if not condition:
+		raise AssertionError,reason
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_thread.py b/Lib/test/test_thread.py
index 02da94e75d1..134badfae3c 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_thread.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_thread.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 # Create a bunch of threads, let each do some work, wait until all are done
 
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import random
 import thread
 import time
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_timing.py b/Lib/test/test_timing.py
index 5dbc895385c..984638eeb5c 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_timing.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_timing.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import timing
 
 r = range(100000)
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_tokenize.py b/Lib/test/test_tokenize.py
index a0713d184c3..52d43008226 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_tokenize.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_tokenize.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from test_support import verbose, findfile
+from test_support import verify, verbose, findfile
 import tokenize, os, sys
 
 if verbose:
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_ucn.py b/Lib/test/test_ucn.py
index f1a62299c86..92155be8695 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_ucn.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_ucn.py
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ Written by Bill Tutt.
 (c) Copyright CNRI, All Rights Reserved. NO WARRANTY.
 
 """#"
+from test_support import verify, verbose
+
 print 'Testing General Unicode Character Name, and case insensitivity...',
 
 # General and case insensitivity test:
@@ -34,15 +36,15 @@ s = u"\N{LATIN CAPITAL LETTER T}" \
     u"\N{LATIN SMALL LETTER E}" \
     u"\N{LATIN SMALL LETTER P}" \
     u"\N{FULL STOP}"
-assert s == u"The rEd fOx ate the sheep.", s
+verify(s == u"The rEd fOx ate the sheep.", s)
 print "done."
 
 # misc. symbol testing
 print "Testing misc. symbols for unicode character name expansion....",
-assert u"\N{PILCROW SIGN}" == u"\u00b6"
-assert u"\N{REPLACEMENT CHARACTER}" == u"\uFFFD"
-assert u"\N{HALFWIDTH KATAKANA SEMI-VOICED SOUND MARK}" == u"\uFF9F"
-assert u"\N{FULLWIDTH LATIN SMALL LETTER A}" == u"\uFF41"
+verify(u"\N{PILCROW SIGN}" == u"\u00b6")
+verify(u"\N{REPLACEMENT CHARACTER}" == u"\uFFFD")
+verify(u"\N{HALFWIDTH KATAKANA SEMI-VOICED SOUND MARK}" == u"\uFF9F")
+verify(u"\N{FULLWIDTH LATIN SMALL LETTER A}" == u"\uFF41")
 print "done."
 
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_unicode.py b/Lib/test/test_unicode.py
index c71f92747f3..f1998286ce6 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_unicode.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_unicode.py
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ Written by Marc-Andre Lemburg (mal@lemburg.com).
 
 (c) Copyright CNRI, All Rights Reserved. NO WARRANTY.
 
-"""
-from test_support import verbose
+"""#"
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import sys
 
 def test(method, input, output, *args):
@@ -173,15 +173,15 @@ if 0:
 
 # Comparisons:
 print 'Testing Unicode comparisons...',
-assert u'abc' == 'abc'
-assert 'abc' == u'abc'
-assert u'abc' == u'abc'
-assert u'abcd' > 'abc'
-assert 'abcd' > u'abc'
-assert u'abcd' > u'abc'
-assert u'abc' < 'abcd'
-assert 'abc' < u'abcd'
-assert u'abc' < u'abcd'
+verify(u'abc' == 'abc')
+verify('abc' == u'abc')
+verify(u'abc' == u'abc')
+verify(u'abcd' > 'abc')
+verify('abcd' > u'abc')
+verify(u'abcd' > u'abc')
+verify(u'abc' < 'abcd')
+verify('abc' < u'abcd')
+verify(u'abc' < u'abcd')
 print 'done.'
 
 if 0:
@@ -189,13 +189,13 @@ if 0:
 
     print 'Testing UTF-16 code point order comparisons...',
     #No surrogates, no fixup required.
-    assert u'\u0061' < u'\u20ac'
+    verify(u'\u0061' < u'\u20ac')
     # Non surrogate below surrogate value, no fixup required
-    assert u'\u0061' < u'\ud800\udc02'
+    verify(u'\u0061' < u'\ud800\udc02')
 
     # Non surrogate above surrogate value, fixup required
     def test_lecmp(s, s2):
-        assert s <  s2 , "comparison failed on %s < %s" % (s, s2)
+      verify(s <  s2 , "comparison failed on %s < %s" % (s, s2))
 
     def test_fixup(s):
         s2 = u'\ud800\udc01'
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ if 0:
     test_fixup(u'\uff61')
 
     # Surrogates on both sides, no fixup required
-    assert u'\ud800\udc02' < u'\ud84d\udc56'
+    verify(u'\ud800\udc02' < u'\ud84d\udc56')
     print 'done.'
 
 test('ljust', u'abc',  u'abc       ', 10)
@@ -306,78 +306,78 @@ test('translate', u"abababc", u'iiix', {ord('a'):None, ord('b'):ord('i'), ord('c
 
 # Contains:
 print 'Testing Unicode contains method...',
-assert ('a' in u'abdb') == 1
-assert ('a' in u'bdab') == 1
-assert ('a' in u'bdaba') == 1
-assert ('a' in u'bdba') == 1
-assert ('a' in u'bdba') == 1
-assert (u'a' in u'bdba') == 1
-assert (u'a' in u'bdb') == 0
-assert (u'a' in 'bdb') == 0
-assert (u'a' in 'bdba') == 1
-assert (u'a' in ('a',1,None)) == 1
-assert (u'a' in (1,None,'a')) == 1
-assert (u'a' in (1,None,u'a')) == 1
-assert ('a' in ('a',1,None)) == 1
-assert ('a' in (1,None,'a')) == 1
-assert ('a' in (1,None,u'a')) == 1
-assert ('a' in ('x',1,u'y')) == 0
-assert ('a' in ('x',1,None)) == 0
+verify(('a' in u'abdb') == 1)
+verify(('a' in u'bdab') == 1)
+verify(('a' in u'bdaba') == 1)
+verify(('a' in u'bdba') == 1)
+verify(('a' in u'bdba') == 1)
+verify((u'a' in u'bdba') == 1)
+verify((u'a' in u'bdb') == 0)
+verify((u'a' in 'bdb') == 0)
+verify((u'a' in 'bdba') == 1)
+verify((u'a' in ('a',1,None)) == 1)
+verify((u'a' in (1,None,'a')) == 1)
+verify((u'a' in (1,None,u'a')) == 1)
+verify(('a' in ('a',1,None)) == 1)
+verify(('a' in (1,None,'a')) == 1)
+verify(('a' in (1,None,u'a')) == 1)
+verify(('a' in ('x',1,u'y')) == 0)
+verify(('a' in ('x',1,None)) == 0)
 print 'done.'
 
 # Formatting:
 print 'Testing Unicode formatting strings...',
-assert u"%s, %s" % (u"abc", "abc") == u'abc, abc'
-assert u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", 1, 2, 3) == u'abc, abc, 1, 2.000000,  3.00'
-assert u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", 1, -2, 3) == u'abc, abc, 1, -2.000000,  3.00'
-assert u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", -1, -2, 3.5) == u'abc, abc, -1, -2.000000,  3.50'
-assert u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", -1, -2, 3.57) == u'abc, abc, -1, -2.000000,  3.57'
-assert u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", -1, -2, 1003.57) == u'abc, abc, -1, -2.000000, 1003.57'
-assert u"%c" % (u"a",) == u'a'
-assert u"%c" % ("a",) == u'a'
-assert u"%c" % (34,) == u'"'
-assert u"%c" % (36,) == u'$'
+verify(u"%s, %s" % (u"abc", "abc") == u'abc, abc')
+verify(u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", 1, 2, 3) == u'abc, abc, 1, 2.000000,  3.00')
+verify(u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", 1, -2, 3) == u'abc, abc, 1, -2.000000,  3.00')
+verify(u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", -1, -2, 3.5) == u'abc, abc, -1, -2.000000,  3.50')
+verify(u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", -1, -2, 3.57) == u'abc, abc, -1, -2.000000,  3.57')
+verify(u"%s, %s, %i, %f, %5.2f" % (u"abc", "abc", -1, -2, 1003.57) == u'abc, abc, -1, -2.000000, 1003.57')
+verify(u"%c" % (u"a",) == u'a')
+verify(u"%c" % ("a",) == u'a')
+verify(u"%c" % (34,) == u'"')
+verify(u"%c" % (36,) == u'$')
 value = u"%r, %r" % (u"abc", "abc")
 if value != u"u'abc', 'abc'":
     print '*** formatting failed for "%s"' % 'u"%r, %r" % (u"abc", "abc")'
 
-assert u"%(x)s, %(y)s" % {'x':u"abc", 'y':"def"} == u'abc, def'
+verify(u"%(x)s, %(y)s" % {'x':u"abc", 'y':"def"} == u'abc, def')
 try:
     value = u"%(x)s, %(ä)s" % {'x':u"abc", u'ä'.encode('utf-8'):"def"}
 except KeyError:
     print '*** formatting failed for "%s"' % "u'abc, def'"
 else:
-    assert value == u'abc, def'
+    verify(value == u'abc, def')
 
 # formatting jobs delegated from the string implementation:
-assert '...%(foo)s...' % {'foo':u"abc"} == u'...abc...'
-assert '...%(foo)s...' % {'foo':"abc"} == '...abc...'
-assert '...%(foo)s...' % {u'foo':"abc"} == '...abc...'
-assert '...%(foo)s...' % {u'foo':u"abc"} == u'...abc...'
-assert '...%(foo)s...' % {u'foo':u"abc",'def':123} ==  u'...abc...'
-assert '...%(foo)s...' % {u'foo':u"abc",u'def':123} == u'...abc...'
-assert '...%s...%s...%s...%s...' % (1,2,3,u"abc") == u'...1...2...3...abc...'
-assert '...%%...%%s...%s...%s...%s...%s...' % (1,2,3,u"abc") == u'...%...%s...1...2...3...abc...'
-assert '...%s...' % u"abc" == u'...abc...'
+verify('...%(foo)s...' % {'foo':u"abc"} == u'...abc...')
+verify('...%(foo)s...' % {'foo':"abc"} == '...abc...')
+verify('...%(foo)s...' % {u'foo':"abc"} == '...abc...')
+verify('...%(foo)s...' % {u'foo':u"abc"} == u'...abc...')
+verify('...%(foo)s...' % {u'foo':u"abc",'def':123} ==  u'...abc...')
+verify('...%(foo)s...' % {u'foo':u"abc",u'def':123} == u'...abc...')
+verify('...%s...%s...%s...%s...' % (1,2,3,u"abc") == u'...1...2...3...abc...')
+verify('...%%...%%s...%s...%s...%s...%s...' % (1,2,3,u"abc") == u'...%...%s...1...2...3...abc...')
+verify('...%s...' % u"abc" == u'...abc...')
 print 'done.'
 
 # Test builtin codecs
 print 'Testing builtin codecs...',
 
 # UTF-8 specific encoding tests:
-assert u'\u20ac'.encode('utf-8') == \
-       ''.join((chr(0xe2), chr(0x82), chr(0xac)))
-assert u'\ud800\udc02'.encode('utf-8') == \
-       ''.join((chr(0xf0), chr(0x90), chr(0x80), chr(0x82)))
-assert u'\ud84d\udc56'.encode('utf-8') == \
-       ''.join((chr(0xf0), chr(0xa3), chr(0x91), chr(0x96)))
+verify(u'\u20ac'.encode('utf-8') == \
+       ''.join((chr(0xe2), chr(0x82), chr(0xac))) )
+verify(u'\ud800\udc02'.encode('utf-8') == \
+       ''.join((chr(0xf0), chr(0x90), chr(0x80), chr(0x82))) )
+verify(u'\ud84d\udc56'.encode('utf-8') == \
+       ''.join((chr(0xf0), chr(0xa3), chr(0x91), chr(0x96))) )
 # UTF-8 specific decoding tests
-assert unicode(''.join((chr(0xf0), chr(0xa3), chr(0x91), chr(0x96))),
-               'utf-8') == u'\ud84d\udc56'
-assert unicode(''.join((chr(0xf0), chr(0x90), chr(0x80), chr(0x82))),
-               'utf-8') == u'\ud800\udc02'
-assert unicode(''.join((chr(0xe2), chr(0x82), chr(0xac))),
-               'utf-8') == u'\u20ac'
+verify(unicode(''.join((chr(0xf0), chr(0xa3), chr(0x91), chr(0x96))), 
+               'utf-8') == u'\ud84d\udc56' )
+verify(unicode(''.join((chr(0xf0), chr(0x90), chr(0x80), chr(0x82))), 
+               'utf-8') == u'\ud800\udc02' )
+verify(unicode(''.join((chr(0xe2), chr(0x82), chr(0xac))), 
+               'utf-8') == u'\u20ac' )
 
 # Other possible utf-8 test cases:
 # * strict decoding testing for all of the
@@ -385,10 +385,10 @@ assert unicode(''.join((chr(0xe2), chr(0x82), chr(0xac))),
 
 
 
-assert unicode('hello','ascii') == u'hello'
-assert unicode('hello','utf-8') == u'hello'
-assert unicode('hello','utf8') == u'hello'
-assert unicode('hello','latin-1') == u'hello'
+verify(unicode('hello','ascii') == u'hello')
+verify(unicode('hello','utf-8') == u'hello')
+verify(unicode('hello','utf8') == u'hello')
+verify(unicode('hello','latin-1') == u'hello')
 
 class String:
     x = ''
@@ -398,12 +398,12 @@ class String:
 o = String()
 
 o.x = 'abc'
-assert unicode(o) == u'abc'
-assert str(o) == 'abc'
+verify(unicode(o) == u'abc')
+verify(str(o) == 'abc')
 
 o.x = u'abc'
-assert unicode(o) == u'abc'
-assert str(o) == 'abc'
+verify(unicode(o) == u'abc')
+verify(str(o) == 'abc')
 
 try:
     u'Andr\202 x'.encode('ascii')
@@ -412,8 +412,8 @@ except ValueError:
     pass
 else:
     raise AssertionError, "u'Andr\202'.encode('ascii') failed to raise an exception"
-assert u'Andr\202 x'.encode('ascii','ignore') == "Andr x"
-assert u'Andr\202 x'.encode('ascii','replace') == "Andr? x"
+verify(u'Andr\202 x'.encode('ascii','ignore') == "Andr x")
+verify(u'Andr\202 x'.encode('ascii','replace') == "Andr? x")
 
 try:
     unicode('Andr\202 x','ascii')
@@ -422,27 +422,27 @@ except ValueError:
     pass
 else:
     raise AssertionError, "unicode('Andr\202') failed to raise an exception"
-assert unicode('Andr\202 x','ascii','ignore') == u"Andr x"
-assert unicode('Andr\202 x','ascii','replace') == u'Andr\uFFFD x'
+verify(unicode('Andr\202 x','ascii','ignore') == u"Andr x")
+verify(unicode('Andr\202 x','ascii','replace') == u'Andr\uFFFD x')
 
-assert u'hello'.encode('ascii') == 'hello'
-assert u'hello'.encode('utf-8') == 'hello'
-assert u'hello'.encode('utf8') == 'hello'
-assert u'hello'.encode('utf-16-le') == 'h\000e\000l\000l\000o\000'
-assert u'hello'.encode('utf-16-be') == '\000h\000e\000l\000l\000o'
-assert u'hello'.encode('latin-1') == 'hello'
+verify(u'hello'.encode('ascii') == 'hello')
+verify(u'hello'.encode('utf-8') == 'hello')
+verify(u'hello'.encode('utf8') == 'hello')
+verify(u'hello'.encode('utf-16-le') == 'h\000e\000l\000l\000o\000')
+verify(u'hello'.encode('utf-16-be') == '\000h\000e\000l\000l\000o')
+verify(u'hello'.encode('latin-1') == 'hello')
 
 u = u''.join(map(unichr, range(1024)))
 for encoding in ('utf-8', 'utf-16', 'utf-16-le', 'utf-16-be',
                  'raw_unicode_escape', 'unicode_escape', 'unicode_internal'):
-    assert unicode(u.encode(encoding),encoding) == u
+    verify(unicode(u.encode(encoding),encoding) == u)
 
 u = u''.join(map(unichr, range(256)))
 for encoding in (
     'latin-1',
     ):
     try:
-        assert unicode(u.encode(encoding),encoding) == u
+        verify(unicode(u.encode(encoding),encoding) == u)
     except AssertionError:
         print '*** codec "%s" failed round-trip' % encoding
     except ValueError,why:
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ for encoding in (
     'ascii',
     ):
     try:
-        assert unicode(u.encode(encoding),encoding) == u
+        verify(unicode(u.encode(encoding),encoding) == u)
     except AssertionError:
         print '*** codec "%s" failed round-trip' % encoding
     except ValueError,why:
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ for encoding in (
 
     ):
     try:
-        assert unicode(s,encoding).encode(encoding) == s
+        verify(unicode(s,encoding).encode(encoding) == s)
     except AssertionError:
         print '*** codec "%s" failed round-trip' % encoding
     except ValueError,why:
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@ for encoding in (
 
     ):
     try:
-        assert unicode(s,encoding).encode(encoding) == s
+        verify(unicode(s,encoding).encode(encoding) == s)
     except AssertionError:
         print '*** codec "%s" failed round-trip' % encoding
     except ValueError,why:
@@ -526,9 +526,9 @@ for encoding in (
 print 'done.'
 
 print 'Testing Unicode string concatenation...',
-assert (u"abc" u"def") == u"abcdef"
-assert ("abc" u"def") == u"abcdef"
-assert (u"abc" "def") == u"abcdef"
-assert (u"abc" u"def" "ghi") == u"abcdefghi"
-assert ("abc" "def" u"ghi") == u"abcdefghi"
+verify((u"abc" u"def") == u"abcdef")
+verify(("abc" u"def") == u"abcdef")
+verify((u"abc" "def") == u"abcdef")
+verify((u"abc" u"def" "ghi") == u"abcdefghi")
+verify(("abc" "def" u"ghi") == u"abcdefghi")
 print 'done.'
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_unicodedata.py b/Lib/test/test_unicodedata.py
index 7e3cf22209c..db03d35708e 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_unicodedata.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_unicodedata.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
     (c) Copyright CNRI, All Rights Reserved. NO WARRANTY.
 
 """#"
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import sha
 
 encoding = 'utf-8'
@@ -87,38 +88,38 @@ print test_unicodedata()
 # Some additional checks of the API:
 print 'API:',
 
-assert unicodedata.digit(u'A',None) is None
-assert unicodedata.digit(u'9') == 9
-assert unicodedata.digit(u'\u215b',None) is None
-assert unicodedata.digit(u'\u2468') == 9
+verify(unicodedata.digit(u'A',None) is None)
+verify(unicodedata.digit(u'9') == 9)
+verify(unicodedata.digit(u'\u215b',None) is None)
+verify(unicodedata.digit(u'\u2468') == 9)
 
-assert unicodedata.numeric(u'A',None) is None
-assert unicodedata.numeric(u'9') == 9
-assert unicodedata.numeric(u'\u215b') == 0.125
-assert unicodedata.numeric(u'\u2468') == 9.0
+verify(unicodedata.numeric(u'A',None) is None)
+verify(unicodedata.numeric(u'9') == 9)
+verify(unicodedata.numeric(u'\u215b') == 0.125)
+verify(unicodedata.numeric(u'\u2468') == 9.0)
 
-assert unicodedata.decimal(u'A',None) is None
-assert unicodedata.decimal(u'9') == 9
-assert unicodedata.decimal(u'\u215b',None) is None
-assert unicodedata.decimal(u'\u2468',None) is None
+verify(unicodedata.decimal(u'A',None) is None)
+verify(unicodedata.decimal(u'9') == 9)
+verify(unicodedata.decimal(u'\u215b',None) is None)
+verify(unicodedata.decimal(u'\u2468',None) is None)
 
-assert unicodedata.category(u'\uFFFE') == 'Cn'
-assert unicodedata.category(u'a') == 'Ll'
-assert unicodedata.category(u'A') == 'Lu'
+verify(unicodedata.category(u'\uFFFE') == 'Cn')
+verify(unicodedata.category(u'a') == 'Ll')
+verify(unicodedata.category(u'A') == 'Lu')
 
-assert unicodedata.bidirectional(u'\uFFFE') == ''
-assert unicodedata.bidirectional(u' ') == 'WS'
-assert unicodedata.bidirectional(u'A') == 'L'
+verify(unicodedata.bidirectional(u'\uFFFE') == '')
+verify(unicodedata.bidirectional(u' ') == 'WS')
+verify(unicodedata.bidirectional(u'A') == 'L')
 
-assert unicodedata.decomposition(u'\uFFFE') == ''
-assert unicodedata.decomposition(u'\u00bc') == '<fraction> 0031 2044 0034'
+verify(unicodedata.decomposition(u'\uFFFE') == '')
+verify(unicodedata.decomposition(u'\u00bc') == '<fraction> 0031 2044 0034')
 
-assert unicodedata.mirrored(u'\uFFFE') == 0
-assert unicodedata.mirrored(u'a') == 0
-assert unicodedata.mirrored(u'\u2201') == 1
+verify(unicodedata.mirrored(u'\uFFFE') == 0)
+verify(unicodedata.mirrored(u'a') == 0)
+verify(unicodedata.mirrored(u'\u2201') == 1)
 
-assert unicodedata.combining(u'\uFFFE') == 0
-assert unicodedata.combining(u'a') == 0
-assert unicodedata.combining(u'\u20e1') == 230
+verify(unicodedata.combining(u'\uFFFE') == 0)
+verify(unicodedata.combining(u'a') == 0)
+verify(unicodedata.combining(u'\u20e1') == 230)
 
 print 'ok'
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_urllib.py b/Lib/test/test_urllib.py
index 81533e19487..d2d5d639b9e 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_urllib.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_urllib.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 # Minimal test of the quote function
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import urllib
 
 chars = 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz'\
@@ -11,20 +12,20 @@ chars = 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz'\
 expected = 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz%df%e0%e1%e2%e3%e4%e5%e6%e7%e8%e9%ea%eb%ec%ed%ee%ef%f0%f1%f2%f3%f4%f5%f6%f8%f9%fa%fb%fc%fd%fe%ffABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ%c0%c1%c2%c3%c4%c5%c6%c7%c8%c9%ca%cb%cc%cd%ce%cf%d0%d1%d2%d3%d4%d5%d6%d8%d9%da%db%dc%dd%de'
 
 test = urllib.quote(chars)
-assert test == expected, "urllib.quote problem"
+verify(test == expected, "urllib.quote problem")
 test2 = urllib.unquote(expected)
-assert test2 == chars
+verify(test2 == chars)
 
 in1 = "abc/def"
 out1_1 = "abc/def"
 out1_2 = "abc%2fdef"
 
-assert urllib.quote(in1) == out1_1, "urllib.quote problem"
-assert urllib.quote(in1, '') == out1_2, "urllib.quote problem"
+verify(urllib.quote(in1) == out1_1, "urllib.quote problem")
+verify(urllib.quote(in1, '') == out1_2, "urllib.quote problem")
 
 in2 = "abc?def"
 out2_1 = "abc%3fdef"
 out2_2 = "abc?def"
 
-assert urllib.quote(in2) == out2_1, "urllib.quote problem"
-assert urllib.quote(in2, '?') == out2_2, "urllib.quote problem"
+verify(urllib.quote(in2) == out2_1, "urllib.quote problem")
+verify(urllib.quote(in2, '?') == out2_2, "urllib.quote problem")
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_userdict.py b/Lib/test/test_userdict.py
index 63632f73625..08b7a13e4a0 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_userdict.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_userdict.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # Check every path through every method of UserDict
 
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 from UserDict import UserDict
 
 d0 = {}
@@ -20,26 +21,26 @@ uu2 = UserDict(u2)
 
 # Test __repr__
 
-assert str(u0) == str(d0)
-assert repr(u1) == repr(d1)
-assert `u2` == `d2`
+verify(str(u0) == str(d0))
+verify(repr(u1) == repr(d1))
+verify(`u2` == `d2`)
 
 # Test __cmp__ and __len__
 
 all = [d0, d1, d2, u, u0, u1, u2, uu, uu0, uu1, uu2]
 for a in all:
     for b in all:
-        assert cmp(a, b) == cmp(len(a), len(b))
+        verify(cmp(a, b) == cmp(len(a), len(b)))
 
 # Test __getitem__
 
-assert u2["one"] == 1
+verify(u2["one"] == 1)
 try:
     u1["two"]
 except KeyError:
     pass
 else:
-    assert 0, "u1['two'] shouldn't exist"
+    verify(0, "u1['two'] shouldn't exist")
 
 # Test __setitem__
 
@@ -55,47 +56,47 @@ try:
 except KeyError:
     pass
 else:
-    assert 0, "u3['three'] shouldn't exist"
+    verify(0, "u3['three'] shouldn't exist")
 
 # Test clear
 
 u3.clear()
-assert u3 == {}
+verify(u3 == {})
 
 # Test copy()
 
 u2a = u2.copy()
-assert u2a == u2
+verify(u2a == u2)
 
 class MyUserDict(UserDict):
     def display(self): print self
 
 m2 = MyUserDict(u2)
 m2a = m2.copy()
-assert m2a == m2
+verify(m2a == m2)
 
 # Test keys, items, values
 
-assert u2.keys() == d2.keys()
-assert u2.items() == d2.items()
-assert u2.values() == d2.values()
+verify(u2.keys() == d2.keys())
+verify(u2.items() == d2.items())
+verify(u2.values() == d2.values())
 
 # Test has_key
 
 for i in u2.keys():
-    assert u2.has_key(i) == 1
-    assert u1.has_key(i) == d1.has_key(i)
-    assert u0.has_key(i) == d0.has_key(i)
+    verify(u2.has_key(i) == 1)
+    verify(u1.has_key(i) == d1.has_key(i))
+    verify(u0.has_key(i) == d0.has_key(i))
 
 # Test update
 
 t = UserDict()
 t.update(u2)
-assert t == u2
+verify(t == u2)
 
 # Test get
 
 for i in u2.keys():
-    assert u2.get(i) == u2[i]
-    assert u1.get(i) == d1.get(i)
-    assert u0.get(i) == d0.get(i)
+    verify(u2.get(i) == u2[i])
+    verify(u1.get(i) == d1.get(i))
+    verify(u0.get(i) == d0.get(i))
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_userlist.py b/Lib/test/test_userlist.py
index e8d9cb066e1..da866ccd402 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_userlist.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_userlist.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 from UserList import UserList
 from test_support import TestFailed
 
-# Use check instead of assert so -O doesn't render the
+# Use check instead of verify(so -O doesn't render the)
 # test useless.
 def check(predicate, msg):
     if not predicate:
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_userstring.py b/Lib/test/test_userstring.py
index a47bfdd9df5..4f54db2a43f 100755
--- a/Lib/test/test_userstring.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_userstring.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 import sys, string
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 import string_tests
 # UserString is a wrapper around the native builtin string type.
 # UserString instances should behave similar to builtin string objects.
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_winreg.py b/Lib/test/test_winreg.py
index f3d5cdfba03..20df7de8a1b 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_winreg.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_winreg.py
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@ def WriteTestData(root_key):
 
     # Check we wrote as many items as we thought.
     nkeys, nvalues, since_mod = QueryInfoKey(key)
-    assert nkeys==1, "Not the correct number of sub keys"
-    assert nvalues==1, "Not the correct number of values"
+    verify(nkeys==1, "Not the correct number of sub keys")
+    verify(nvalues==1, "Not the correct number of values")
     nkeys, nvalues, since_mod = QueryInfoKey(sub_key)
-    assert nkeys==0, "Not the correct number of sub keys"
-    assert nvalues==len(test_data), "Not the correct number of values"
+    verify(nkeys==0, "Not the correct number of sub keys")
+    verify(nvalues==len(test_data), "Not the correct number of values")
     # Close this key this way...
     # (but before we do, copy the key as an integer - this allows
     # us to test that the key really gets closed).
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def WriteTestData(root_key):
 def ReadTestData(root_key):
     # Check we can get default value for this key.
     val = QueryValue(root_key, test_key_name)
-    assert val=="Default value", "Registry didn't give back the correct value"
+    verify(val=="Default value", "Registry didn't give back the correct value")
 
     key = OpenKey(root_key, test_key_name)
     # Read the sub-keys
@@ -70,21 +70,21 @@ def ReadTestData(root_key):
             data = EnumValue(sub_key, index)
         except EnvironmentError:
             break
-        assert data in test_data, "Didn't read back the correct test data"
+        verify(data in test_data, "Didn't read back the correct test data")
         index = index + 1
-    assert index==len(test_data), "Didn't read the correct number of items"
+    verify(index==len(test_data), "Didn't read the correct number of items")
     # Check I can directly access each item
     for value_name, value_data, value_type in test_data:
         read_val, read_typ = QueryValueEx(sub_key, value_name)
-        assert read_val==value_data and read_typ == value_type, \
-               "Could not directly read the value"
+        verify(read_val==value_data and read_typ == value_type, \
+               "Could not directly read the value" )
     sub_key.Close()
     # Enumerate our main key.
     read_val = EnumKey(key, 0)
-    assert read_val == "sub_key", "Read subkey value wrong"
+    verify(read_val == "sub_key", "Read subkey value wrong")
     try:
         EnumKey(key, 1)
-        assert 0, "Was able to get a second key when I only have one!"
+        verify(0, "Was able to get a second key when I only have one!")
     except EnvironmentError:
         pass
 
@@ -100,14 +100,14 @@ def DeleteTestData(root_key):
         DeleteValue(sub_key, value_name)
 
     nkeys, nvalues, since_mod = QueryInfoKey(sub_key)
-    assert nkeys==0 and nvalues==0, "subkey not empty before delete"
+    verify(nkeys==0 and nvalues==0, "subkey not empty before delete")
     sub_key.Close()
     DeleteKey(key, "sub_key")
 
     try:
         # Shouldnt be able to delete it twice!
         DeleteKey(key, "sub_key")
-        assert 0, "Deleting the key twice succeeded"
+        verify(0, "Deleting the key twice succeeded")
     except EnvironmentError:
         pass
     key.Close()
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def DeleteTestData(root_key):
     # Opening should now fail!
     try:
         key = OpenKey(root_key, test_key_name)
-        assert 0, "Could open the non-existent key"
+        verify(0, "Could open the non-existent key")
     except WindowsError: # Use this error name this time
         pass
 
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_xmllib.py b/Lib/test/test_xmllib.py
index 62803b58690..32f6b85baf3 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_xmllib.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_xmllib.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
    Sjoerd Mullender
 '''
 
-from test_support import verbose
+from test_support import verify, verbose
 
 testdoc = """\
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone='yes' ?>