In programming, it’s often the buts in the specification that kill you.
“In programming, it’s often the buts in the specification that kill you.” Boris Beizer
One of the saddest sights to me has always been a human at a keyboard doing something by hand that could be automated. It’s sad but hilarious.
“One of the saddest sights to me has always been a human at a keyboard doing something by hand that could be automated. It’s sad … Read More
Software never was perfect and won’t get perfect. But is that a license to create garbage? The missing ingredient is our reluctance to quantify quality.
“Software never was perfect and won’t get perfect. But is that a license to create garbage? The missing ingredient is our reluctance to quantify quality.” … Read More
First law: The pesticide paradox. Every method you use to prevent or find bugs leaves a residue of subtler bugs against which those methods are ineffective.
“First law: The pesticide paradox. Every method you use to prevent or find bugs leaves a residue of subtler bugs against which those methods are … Read More
Second law: The complexity barrier. Software complexity (and therefore that of bugs) grows to the limits of our ability to manage that complexity.
“Second law: The complexity barrier. Software complexity (and therefore that of bugs) grows to the limits of our ability to manage that complexity.” Boris … Read More
Extra features were once considered desirable. We now recognize that ‘free’ features are rarely free. Any increase in generality that does not contribute to reliability, modularity, maintainability, and robustness should be suspected.
“Extra features were once considered desirable. We now recognize that ‘free’ features are rarely free. Any increase in generality that does not contribute to reliability, … Read More
Bugs lurk in corners and congregate at boundaries.
“Bugs lurk in corners and congregate at boundaries.” Boris Beizer
If the objective of testing were to prove that a program is free of bugs, then not only would testing be practically impossible, but it would also be theoretically impossible.
“If the objective of testing were to prove that a program is free of bugs, then not only would testing be practically impossible, but it … Read More
Testing proves a programmer’s failure. Debugging is the programmer’s vindication.
“Testing proves a programmer’s failure. Debugging is the programmer’s vindication.” Boris Beizer
A design remedy that prevents bugs is always preferable to a test method that discovers them.
“A design remedy that prevents bugs is always preferable to a test method that discovers them.” Boris Beizer
A test that reveals a bug has succeeded, not failed.
“A test that reveals a bug has succeeded, not failed.” Boris Beizer
A good threat is worth a thousand tests.
“A good threat is worth a thousand tests.” Boris Beizer
More than the act of testing, the act of designing tests is one of the best bug preventers known.
“More than the act of testing, the act of designing tests is one of the best bug preventers known.” Boris Beizer
If you can’t test it, don’t build it. If you don’t test it, rip it out.
“If you can’t test it, don’t build it. If you don’t test it, rip it out.” Boris Beizer