... it is a fundamental principle of testing that you must…
“... it is a fundamental principle of testing that you must know in advance the answer each test case is supposed to produce. If you don't, you are not testing; you are experimenting.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Testing requires a known expected result; without it, you are merely experimenting, not verifying.
In simple terms: You must know the expected answer before testing.
Key Takeaway
Define expected outcomes before testing.
Themes
software testing
verification
methodology
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
instructional
technical
When to use this quote
- unit testing
- integration testing
- test-driven development
Key Concepts
expected result
experimental design
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you determine expected outcomes for new features?
- What risks arise from testing without clear expectations?
A Different Perspective
If the expected result is unknown, testing cannot validate correctness.