Re: [PhillyOnRails] rspec slides

["Steve Eichert" <steve.eichert@gmail.com>]

I, for one, think that this is the perfect forum to debate and inform others.  I also think that the most valuable insight into a given technology comes from using it day in and day out and seeing its "warts".  Once those warts are uncovered you can begin to make informed decisions about the most appropriate and beneficial ways to use the given technology.

Back to one of the topics addressed in the critique of RSpec.  It was mentioned that RSpec causes you to violate the DRY principal.  Do you think that violation is appropriate?  I've found that when writing tests/specifications you should always prefer readability over DRY'ness.  As I've heard others say "production code needs to be dry, but tests don't".

http://beechbonanza.blogspot.com/2007/07/production-code-needs-to-be-dry-tests.html
http://blog.jayfields.com/2007/06/testing-inline-setup.html

One of the other things that I'd be interested in hearing more about from those who are using RSpec is does it tend to push you in the direction of using it as a testing/verification tool or as a design tool.  One of  the biggest problems I have with the term "Test Driven Development" is that it leads people to think that its about testing, when in actuality it's all about design.  People (myself included) tend to get caught up in the test part of TDD and forget that the point of TDD, as it was originally "developed", is to help you design your software in a certain way.  So, for those using RSpec, do you think BDD and RSpec help you stay more focused on the design aspects that are the key to TDD, or does it cause you to go more towards the testing/verification mindset?  My initial impression is that it might lead you to just worry about whether your code passes the specifications, and not necessarily towards the best design.

Cheers,
Steve

On 9/13/07, Cassius Rosenthal <cassius@xmodulation.com> wrote:

Well, I didn't mean to tick anybody off, and I apologize if I hit a
nerve.  I was pretty clear in my first email that I think everybody
should use RSpec despite it's drawbacks.

My criticism of RSpec comes from using it in several projects over the
past few months, and I intend my criticism to be constructive both to
those who are trying to understand RSpec, and to those who would improve
upon it.

I think it would be a disservice to those who are new to RSpec to
dismiss its problems or to recommend its application where it is
inappropriate.  Surely this is a good forum to debate and thus inform?

Thanks!
-Casey


Colin A. Bartlett wrote:
> Cassius Rosenthal wrote:
> > *a bunch of stuff*
>
> You win. I'm dumping RSpec.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Not.
> But I do have far more important things to do then battle geek to geek
> in cyberspace.
>

_______________________________________________
To unsubscribe or change your settings, visit:
http://lists.phillyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/talk

_______________________________________________
To unsubscribe or change your settings, visit:
http://lists.phillyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/talk