http://qs321.pair.com?node_id=599362


in reply to when do you stop writing test?

Heh. I've generally decided that I've tested enough when I've run out of time for a project. :)

Seriously, I think the question of 'enough' testing (particularly with respect to the idea of diminishing returns) has a lot to do with the extent to which your code is mission critical. In my current position, I do a lot of internal web applications for low numbers of internal customers, and the bar is pretty low for some of that stuff. I find it is often easier to fix a problem afterward than spend the time being ultra-rigorous up front. In a previous job, there was a high need for quality and so, in that context, I was a lot more careful about building a complete test suite, several times arriving at that happy point of not being able to conceive of any further way to test my code.

I know that chromatic has an interest in this area, and you may want to listen carefully to any suggestions from monks who have a similar level of testing experience.

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Re^2: when do you stop writing test?
by Qiang (Friar) on Feb 10, 2007 at 17:13 UTC
    interesting. it sorta make sense since i can relate a bit. I work at a university btw. :)

    but most of our job is code maintenance, bug fix and adding new features. that's why the manager is excited to learn that i started testing and writing doc about it on our wiki.

    lots of our code are mission critical though as we write and maintain apps that deal with course enrollment, all kind of student info etc.

    perlmonk is the first place where i look for testing knowledge. nodes from chromatic and adrianh have helped me a lot.