Re: Testing in C++

From:

Pete Becker <pete@versatilecoding.com>

Newsgroups:

comp.lang.c++

Date:

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:19:30 -0500

Message-ID:

<yaqdnTc4P8v4UmzYnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@giganews.com>

Noah Roberts wrote:

Pete Becker wrote:

Noah Roberts wrote:

Pete Becker wrote:

Today, "regression test" seems to mean "run the tests you've run
before and see if anything got worse." I.e., run the test suite.
Formally, though, a regression test is a test you add to your test
suite in response to a user-reported defect, reproducing the user's
conditions.

I believe you're wrong on this.

I've only spent ten years as a test writer and manager, so it may be
that I don't know what I'm talking about, but I doubt it.

All definitions of regression testing I have seen are running the
full suite to make sure you didn't break anything. This would follow
from the definition of "regression":

1. the act of going back to a previous place or state; return or
reversion.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/regression

That's not a definition of "regression test."

No, it isn't. But it is a definition of regression. If you add test to
the end you can easily derive what the correct meaning should be from
the definition of the component words. Since regression means to move
back, then regression test must mean to test what was previously tested.

So "integral calculus" is all about basic arithmetic, since "integral"
in mathematics means "of or denoted by an integer." Parsing individual
words does not tell you what a compound word means.

Now, this is the common use, it fits the definition of the component
words as they are used in the English language. If you want to change
that definition to mean something else and then claim that the other use
is somehow wrong be my guest; the fact that you find one book that
coincides with your use of little import. Your claim of authority
likewise does not mean you are correct; I fully know who I am arguing
with, I own your book on TR1, and I still say your definition is flawed.

I think I will stick with common use as based on the English language
myself. It's how most people use the words:

"[Regression testing] is a quality control measure to ensure that the
newly modified code still complies with its specified requirements and
that unmodified code has not been affected by the maintenance activity."

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/regression_testing.html

I don't dispute that this is common usage. I do regret the loss of a
previously useful term.

--

-- Pete
Roundhouse Consulting, Ltd. (www.versatilecoding.com)
Author of "The Standard C++ Library Extensions: a Tutorial and
Reference." (www.petebecker.com/tr1book)