From: Bill Kelly <billk@...>
Date: 2009-02-28T14:26:01+09:00
Subject: Re: conversion aid for 1.8.7 to 1.9.x transition?


From: "Tom Cloyd" <tomcloyd@comcast.net>
>
>> [...] It's be comforting to know that when the time comes 
>> there's some quick way to flag the areas of my code that need 
>> attention if they're to run OK in 1.9. Yeah, it's be great if I had a 
>> test suite. but honestly, it's all I can do to get the code together 
>> in the first place. Tests are high on my todo list, but my need for my 
>> current project is higher by far, and I'm close to having a complete 
>> function set, so tests aren't on the menu today.
[...]
> Surely one doesn't just launch the boat and hope there are no leaks, 
> yes? There has to be a better way.

I doubt this is the answer you were hoping for.  But deferring
writing tests is not generally a strategy for completing a
working project sooner.

If your need for your current project is high, having a
supporting network of unit tests continually verifying that
your features are still working _as you develop_ new features,
is a way to go faster over time, not slower.

One effective strategy for not falling behind in writing tests,
is to write a small test first (!) to verify a bit of
functionality you are about to implement in code.

For more info, see "Test-Driven Development Cycle", at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test-driven_development


Regards,

Bill