Re: Testing in C++

From:
Pete Becker <pete@versatilecoding.com>
Newsgroups:
comp.lang.c++
Date:
Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:21:24 -0500
Message-ID:
<YOCdnWcRqLx6QGzYnZ2dnUVZ_gydnZ2d@giganews.com>
Noah Roberts wrote:

Pete Becker wrote:

Noah Roberts wrote:

In general, yes you can find the meaning of a phrase through analysis
of its composite words. If you couldn't communication would be
difficult if not impossible.


The meaning of modifiers is often determined by context, which a
dictionary doesn't understand. For example, if you look up "unit" in
the dictionary, its definition could lead you to believe that a "unit
test" is any test that you apply to your application, which is, after
all, a "unit".


How so? Since unit is quite explicitly singular and meaning a single
part and applications are composed of several distinct modules and
components. I imagine someone on the outside of development might fall
into a definition like that but those that understand what composes an
application shouldn't. The first time I heard the term there was little
doubt to its meaning; it was almost completely self explainitory.


Okay, I gave you too much leeway, and you dodged the issue. So let me
say it again:

The definition of "unit" could lead you to believe that a "unit test" is
any test that you apply to any of the executables that constitute your
application.

--

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

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