51: Feature Testing

Published: Oct. 30, 2018, 3:30 p.m.

Andy Knight joins me in discussing the concept of feature testing. A feature tests is "a test verifying a service or library as the customer would use it, but within a single process." That was a quote from an article that appeared on the Twitter engineering blog. The article describes a shift away from class tests towards feature tests, the benefits of the shift, and some reactions to it. Feature tests are similar to something I used to call "functional subcutaneous integration test", but it's a way better name, and I plan to use it more often. The idea fits well with my testing philosophy. Andy Knight is someone still holding onto the testing pyramid. So I thought it would be fun to ask him to discuss feature testing with me. I think it's a balanced discussion. I hope you enjoy it and learn something. Special Guest: Andy Knight.