Making the Unstable Stable - An Introduction to Testing with Cameron Presley

Does it always seem like bugs you’ve fixed keep coming back? Does it seem like when you fix one bug, two more crop up? What if I were to tell you there’s a better way?

In this presentation, we’re going to explore how to make a code base more stable by using automated testing. To start, we’ll explore the business case of why you should be writing tests by comparing three different companies that had different ideas when it came to testing and what the outcomes were. From there, we’ll look at the fundamentals of testing by talking about the pros/cons of unit, integration, and UI testing. Finally, we’ll look at some resources to learn how to write tests.

Intended for developers who are new to testing, by the end of this presentation, you will understand why you should write tests, and will have the concepts and tools to get started.

Speaker Bio

Cameron Presley is a software engineer, boardgamer, and musician living in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, just outside of the Smoky Mountains. When he’s not writing software for his day job, he gives back to the community through presenting and organizing content for the @FunctionalKnox meetup in Knoxville. In addition, he works with other developers to improve their career through one-on-one sessions as part of The Software Mentor program.

Cameron will also be presenting at Scenic City Summit (http://www.sceniccitysummit.com).