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Jelena Cupac's avatar

Another hidden cost of manual testing - slower feedback loops. Automated tests give instant feedback, while manual testing delays decisions!

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Valentina Jemuović's avatar

Yes, the slow feedback loops in manual testing means that the cost to solve any bug is more expensive for developers. The shorter the feedback loop, the sooner we discover if we're going in the wrong way, the less effort we need to spend to get back on track.

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Per Lundholm's avatar

Washing hands was met with sttong resistance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmelweis_reflex?wprov=sfla1

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Valentina Jemuović's avatar

This is a very useful story, it shows that something that we see as common sense now (washing hands), was previously not accepted because it went against group norms, i.e. when doctors rejected the idea.

I wonder which techniques Semmelweis used to bring about change…

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Per Lundholm's avatar

It's also a question about whether you are a professional or a worker. You don't argue with a doctor about washing hands before surgery. Why would you accept anyone arguing about writing tests? You're a professional, it is your call.

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Valentina Jemuović's avatar

I agree, it should be a sign of professionalism. The issue is that, washing hands before surgery is accepted as industry practice in medicine, whereas automated testing seems something "optional" / "extra" in software development industry, rather than being mainstream practice.

What's your perspective on how we could make it industry-wide standard practice, rather than something exceptional?

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