30 lines
1.2 KiB
Markdown
30 lines
1.2 KiB
Markdown
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---
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title: Tests aren't a line item
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date: 2025-02-23
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permalink: daily/2025/02/23/line-item
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tags:
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- software-development
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- automated-testing
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cta: ~
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snippet: |
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Automated tests should be part of the software development process, not a separate line item.
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---
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A common mistake I see with new Developers and Development teams when starting with automated testing is to split development time and testing into separate tasks.
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They'll say when quoting a client or in an estimation session that the development time will take x hours and writing tests will take y hours.
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This is something I've always avoided.
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When broken out this way, it implies the automated tests are optional when they should be an integral part of the development process.
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They aren't a separate task that can be removed or skipped to save time or money.
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If I take my car to a garage, I don't ask them how long it will take to repair and how long to test what they've done.
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I want to know how much the whole task will cost and how long it will take.
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I assume they automatically test and verify the work they do and follow their industry's standard and best practices.
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I'm doing the same when developing software.
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