From: James Britt <james_b@...>
Date: 2005-12-22T16:11:39+09:00
Subject: Re: unit tests == ugly code?

Steve Litt wrote:

> 
> I cannot in a million years imagine coding without design. I've 
> never coded tests first (I test each class after coding it), but I 
> can't imagine why writing the tests first would make one not 
> design. If it did make me not design, I wouldn't code test first -- 
> I'd make test jigs after.

I tend to sketch first, doodling out the initial pass at an app, trying 
out stuff to test the waters and see if something that popped into my 
head is [not as hard|as hard|much harder] than I thought it might be.

A lot of what I do is driven by a "Hmm, I wonder what *this* button does 
..." mentality, and test-first can interfere with the interesting 
accidents and failures.

But as apps grow, they can get gnarly, and unless the app is a toss-off 
(though how can you tell?) I'll then go and rewrite it, but this time 
using unit tests to avoid the nasty bits. And by that point I likely 
have some general design to guide me.

James
-- 

http://www.ruby-doc.org       - Ruby Help & Documentation
http://www.artima.com/rubycs/ - Ruby Code & Style: Writers wanted
http://www.rubystuff.com      - The Ruby Store for Ruby Stuff
http://www.jamesbritt.com     - Playing with Better Toys
http://www.30secondrule.com   - Building Better Tools