[TIP] testing: why bother?

[Sylvain Hellegouarch]

On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 2:06 PM, Alfredo Deza <alfredodeza at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi list,
>
> I am about to give a presentation about testing in a couple of days and the
> audience is in its majority a
> "we do not write tests" one :(
>
> If you had to name the single most important reason why you need to write
> tests (or keep up with them) what
> would that reason be?
>
> You can reply with multiple ones, but I am interested in the one you think
> is *the* mot important one.
>
> One thing to consider though is to think about the problem from their
> perspective: "Why do I need to write tests?"
> I want to make a dent in that crippled thinking!
>
> I also posted the question in Convore but not everybody is in there, plus I
> know that I get the best quality
> testing-related answers here :)
>
> Any feedback is *greatly* appreciated!
>
>
>

Have you tried the opposite question perhaps: "Why not test?" Letting them
provide opinions on why they don't believe testing is necessary to them,
then show them how testing would improve what they already do/have. In my
opinion testing is a state of mind rather than a process per se so it's hard
to explain. It's almost like a path everyone has to walk on his own.

-- 
- Sylvain
http://www.defuze.org
http://twitter.com/lawouach
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