Mutation Testing
A reference to Mutation Testing just came across the XP list:
Mutation testing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMutation testing (sometimes also called mutation analysis) is a method of software testing, which involves modifying program’s source code in small ways.[1] These, so-called mutations, are based on well-defined mutation operators that either mimic typical user mistakes (such as using the wrong operator or variable name) or force the creation of valuable tests (such as driving each expression to zero). The purpose is to help the tester develop effective tests or locate weaknesses in the test data used for the program or in sections of the code that are seldom or never accessed during execution.
It really responds to one of the questions that’s frequently floated about test suites, be they unit tests or whatever. “How do you know you’re testing everything?”
Tags: UCCU