In “Embracing Change with Extreme Programming” (IEEE Computer, 1999), Kent Beck writes:
Some methodologies, like Cleanroom, prohibit programmers testing or in some cases even compiling their own programs.
As evidence of this he cites the text Cleanroom Software Engineering: Technology and Process, by, among others, yours truly. I for one have never said that people should not run unit tests, nor does the above text say that. I emailed Mr. Beck about it, and he confirmed that he did not get this from the cited text. Whew!
Just to be clear, here is my position. I would never tell anyone not to run a test they felt was necessary. I may personally believe there are efficient and inefficient ways to test, but I’m not an expert in every domain. The people who create a product are responsible for the consequences of release of that product, and should act accordingly. Continue reading »
