One of the puzzles of intellectual life is how to criticize something you admire without sounding like you don't admire it. Benjamin Mitchell has given an insightful talk about social dynamics in … [Read more...] about Benjamin Mitchell and the Trap of False Hypocrisy
Language
Testing and Checking Refined
This post is co-authored with Michael Bolton. We have spent hours arguing about nearly every sentence. We also thank Iain McCowatt for his rapid review and comments. Testing and tool use are two … [Read more...] about Testing and Checking Refined
Mechanical or Magical? Noah Says “Neither.”
As I was having dinner with Noah Höjeberg tonight, he said an interesting thing. "Some people think testing is mechanical, and that's bad enough. But a lot of people seem to think the alternative to … [Read more...] about Mechanical or Magical? Noah Says “Neither.”
How I Invented Sympathetic Testing
I did not invent sympathetic testing. Anyone who says I claim to have invented it will have only read the title of this post, but nothing further. Now you know. I may have been the first in my circle … [Read more...] about How I Invented Sympathetic Testing
What Exploratory Practitioners Are Called
An exploratory DOCTOR is known as... a "doctor." An exploratory WELDER is known as... a "welder." An exploratory PILOT is known as... a "pilot." An exploratory WRITER is known as... a "writer." An … [Read more...] about What Exploratory Practitioners Are Called
Two “Scoops” of “Bugs”
I have often said something like "We found a hundred bugs!" Lots of people have heard me say it. Statements like that are very valuable to me. But we should ask some vital questions about … [Read more...] about Two “Scoops” of “Bugs”
Three New Testing Heuristics
A lot of what I do is give names to testing behaviors and patterns that have been around a long time but that people are not systematically studying or using. I'm not seeking to create a standard … [Read more...] about Three New Testing Heuristics
The Essence of Heuristics
Excellent testing requires skill, but heuristics give structure to that skill. Heuristics help us access our skills under pressure. A heuristic is a fallible method of solving a problem or making a … [Read more...] about The Essence of Heuristics
Putting Subtitles to Testing
I've released a new video, which is a whimsical look at a serious subject: explaining exploratory testing. In the video, my brother and I independently test an "Easy Button" for 10 minutes. Neither … [Read more...] about Putting Subtitles to Testing
Why Labels For Test Techniques?
Steve Swanson is very new to testing. I predict he has a great future. He has already noticed that the common idea of boundary testing is almost content-free. Michael Bolton and I do a whole session … [Read more...] about Why Labels For Test Techniques?