Answers Quote by Brian Kernighan
“... 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
Source Book: The C Programming Language, 1978
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.
![“It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another [for the Executive] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first comports with, the last violates, the fundamental principles of good government; and, whatever may be the forms of the Constitution, unites all power in the same hands.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be4/alexander-hamilton-619_body_it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the_129196.jpg)
