Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Sign in
Home
Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Leaderboard
Use
Analytics
Sign in
Suggest modification to this talk
Title
Description
Stop Testing, Start Storytelling by Mike Schutte Stop trying to be a computer; you're a human! You know what humans are good at? Storytelling. Stop trying to write tests just to get a green test suite, and start telling rich, descriptive stories. Once you have a good story, then you can worry about the implementation details (wait, is testing a form of abstraction and encapsulation?!). In this talk, we look at writing tests as simply telling stories to the test suite. By telling stories about the application (methods, controllers, features, &c.) the suite holds the storyteller accountable for making those stories become, and stay, true.
Date
Summarized using AI?
If this talk's summary was generated by AI, please check this box. A "Summarized using AI" badge will be displayed in the summary tab to indicate that the summary was generated using AI.
Show "Summarized using AI" badge on summary page
Summary
Markdown supported
In the talk titled "Stop Testing, Start Storytelling," Mike Schutte presents a paradigm shift in the approach to software testing by emphasizing storytelling as a crucial aspect of writing tests. He encourages developers to move away from merely producing a green test suite and instead focus on creating rich narratives that reflect user experiences and expectations. Schutte outlines several key points during his presentation: - **Background and Context**: Schutte shares his journey into programming, highlighting the importance of context in understanding how to write effective tests. He suggests that a personal narrative can enhance one’s ability to connect with the material. - **Testing Paradigms**: The talk discusses various testing paradigms - specifically the differences between "test last," "test first," "test-driven," and "behavior-driven" testing. He argues that these paradigms lead to different outcomes based on how developers approach them. - **The Concept of Storytelling**: Schutte asserts that testing should be viewed as a storytelling process. This involves thinking about the overall functionality and user experience rather than just focusing on implementation. He advocates for developing empathy through writing tests that represent user interactions and needs. - **Key Principles**: He relates key programming principles such as communication, context, abstraction, and encapsulation to both storytelling and the testing process. Each principle enhances the understanding of how software operates and interacts with users. - **Practical Application**: The talk concludes with encouragement for developers to apply the storytelling mindset to their workflow. This includes viewing tests as tools to understand and represent the user experience, ultimately leading to better software design. In summary, Schutte’s main conclusion is that by embracing storytelling within the testing process, developers can create more intuitive and user-focused software. The ultimate message is to promote better thinking around testing, ensuring that the focus remains on delivering value to users rather than just achieving technical milestones.
Suggest modifications
Cancel
