Comments on: word = unit test, sentence = integration test

By: Xris (Flatbush Gardener)

Xris (Flatbush Gardener) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:30:35 +0000

Any analogy falls short of reality. Technically, spell-check, not the words themselves, are more analogous to unit tests. Higher-level actions, such as grammar checking, would correspond to integration tests. In that way, they are independent actions, not composed of each other. This can also help explain why both are needed: spell-check doesn’t catch homonyms, and grammar fails if words are spelled incorrectly.

But when communicating with non-technical managers about the need for both, the need to plan, and allow enough time for learning and executing, both, the relationships of words and sentences may suffice.

By: Jeanne Boyarsky

Jeanne Boyarsky — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:25:47 +0000

In reply to Daan van Berkel. Excellent point Daan. You are correct that a pile of unit tests doesn't give you an integration test. But neither does a pile of words give you a sentence. "blue name flag". It's words plus order that gives a sentence. That said, adding a constraint on unit tests still doesn't yield integration tests.

By: Daan van Berkel

Daan van Berkel — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:17:21 +0000

Although I like the novelty of your analogy, it certainly a first for me, I do like to share the following insight.
A sentenced is composed out of words, but a integration test is not composed out of unit tests. I think it is important to stress this point. especially for your manager.

By: Jeanne Boyarsky

Jeanne Boyarsky — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:09:31 +0000

In reply to Xris (Flatbush Gardener). Thanks Xris!

By: Xris (Flatbush Gardener)

Xris (Flatbush Gardener) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:04:47 +0000

Excellent analogy.