Here is a drawback in validate_step of rangeobject. PyNumber_AsSsize_t returns clipped value and won't set an exception when the argument *exc* is set NULL. So if step overflows, istep is always PY_SSIZE_MAX or PY_SSIZE_MIN. But the following code is to check if istep is -1 and there is an exception. The code actually conflicts. But fortunately the result is always right. I suggest to make the code logic right.

Current code is valid, since neither PY_SSIZE_MAX nor PY_SSIZE_MIN equal to 0.

But testing on 0 can be simpler. Following patch simplifies the code.

This looks fine. But maybe code like this looks more clear:

if (step && _PyLong_Sign(step) == 0) {
    PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ValueError,
                    "range() arg 3 must not be zero");
    Py_CLEAR(step);
}

I think assert(PyLong_Check(step)) can be left out since _PyLong_Sign also checks it.

Agreed.

New changeset 4fbcd58df1a0 by Serhiy Storchaka in branch 'default':
Issue #27333: Simplified testing step on 0.
https://hg.python.org/cpython/rev/4fbcd58df1a0

Thank you for your review Xiang.