[LRUG] Testing standards

[Anthony Green]

chat-request at lists.lrug.org wrote:
> Subject: [LRUG] Testing standards
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> 	<CAJg86nH22RFiRQ=sNa=p6pCjUOUZPTOjDJA_N0xV-Pp5YW2n7A at mail.gmail.com>
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>
> Hi All,
>
> Just a quick question really, and one that I'm sure could kick off a fight,
> but do you guys who work in teams have any testing standards that you stick
> to?  For instance, which libraries you use, what sort of tests&  coverage
> you expect etc?  Do you have any requirements from devs before they commit
> or are you all fairly free and easy;)  ?
>
> Thoughts more than welcome.

I've written/contributed to many test strategies this past year. This is 
what I wrote on 'The Evolution of Test Understanding':

What we have observed is that many developer's understanding of testing 
follows roughly this evolution pattern, and that a mature understanding 
of Test-driven development is best achieved through prolonged and 
disciplined practice.

1. Speculative coding phase
   1.1 No tests
   1.2 Post implementation tests

2. Crossover phase
   2.1 Test-first development
   2.2 Test-driven development

3. Test awareness phase
  3.1 Test-driven design
  3.2 Behaviour-driven development
  3.3 Deliberate Discovery, Systems Thinking

An immature team displaying speculative coding practices are often 
cynical about the value of test-driven development. During the crossover 
phase teams 'cargo cult' practices without looking into or developing a 
deeper understanding of it's purpose and values. A team that is 
test-aware demonstrate an understanding of the link between their test 
approach and object-orientated analysis and design: they'll combine 
testing with other techniques such as Just-in-Time UML, spiking, and 
refactoring to patterns.


For Classical TDDers the definitive work is Kent Beck's Test Driven 
Development by Example
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0321146530

and for followers of London School Steve Freeman and Nat Pryce's Growing 
Object-Oriented Software Guided by Tests
http://www.growing-object-oriented-software.com/


-- 
Anthony Green
Apprentice Developer : BBC Future Media
Developer Evangelist : Developer Outreach Group