Scripting Recipes for TestersAdam Goucher

Manager of Quality, Zerofootprint Software

adam@goucher.cahttp://adam.goucher.ca

Code craft is mandatoryReading and writing code extends and accelerates

critical thinking

Language ChoiceThree things you don’t talk about in polite company:

sex, politics, language choice

Language ChoiceThere is no such thing as right or wrong, but there is

right-er and wrong-er depending on the situation

Increasing InsightUncover hidden technical debt

Tip: Common CaseConverting both sides of a comparison to a common

case means you don’t have to worry about case

Tip: YAGNIYou Ain’t Gonna Need It

Increase InsightExploration (or Throw out your scripts)

Increasing EaseJust because something was hard manually doesn’t mean

it always has to be hard

Tip: One Line at a TimeSimple is better than complex - The Zen of Python

Test SelectionBrowser Percentages

Tip: Filter the dataYou are not the customer so you should not be in the

data

Tip: Reinvent the wheelSometimes you can make a better wheel

Tip: YAGNI is heuristicEven though YAGNI, if you can capture it easily then do

so

Data GenerationWho says randomness in testing is bad?

Tip: Can’t Pronounce? So what?

Tip: Embrace ChaosThe world is a random place, why should your data be

organized?

OraclesUnlike the one at Delphi, our oracles shouldn’t be

stoned on sulphur fumes

Tip: ProximityThings that are related, should be together

Reduce CostsWouldn’t you like your budget focused on your salary?

Tip: Let scripts evolveJust like all living thing, scripts evolve

Increase SpeedWe have the technology. ... Better than he was before.

Better, stronger, faster.

Go Forth and Script!