Exploring Extreme Programming
Duplication in production code leads to errors, but certain duplication in test code causes problems too. When test after test has the same structure, the part that varies (aka the interesting part) gets buried in the part that stays the Continue reading Parameterized Unit Testing
A fixed-size counter (triggered by some sort of pulse) is a common way to represent time. When you use this approach, you generally have to answer three questions: Answering those questions lets you answer several other questions: (For all these, Continue reading Time Troubles – Binary Timer Overflow
The Template Method design pattern defines an algorithm in an abstract class, and defers some steps to its subclasses. A Strategy defines a family of pluggable implementations. We’ll see how to convert from Template Method to Strategy. Template Method A Continue reading Refactor Template Method to Strategy
State machines are useful, but how do we know they’re correct? We’ll look at several aspects of testing state machines: the machines themselves, and the interpreter and direct code implementations. The “State Machines” Series Levels of Testing When using state Continue reading State Machines, part 4: Testing
Today we’ll look at how to implement state machines as direct code. In part 1, we looked at what state machines are. In part 2, we looked at how you might implement them with an interpreter that process a data Continue reading State Machines, Part 3: Direct Code
In Part 1, we looked at state machines and some common variants. This time we’ll look at code: how can you implement state machines? We’ll look at several approaches, in two classes: interpreter and direct-coded. (You could think “interpreter vs Continue reading State Machines, Part 2: Interpreter Code
State machines are a very useful abstraction for behavior, but not everybody has run across them. This tool is useful for programmers, and for anybody else who is trying to create or understand a system. Why take the trouble to Continue reading State Machines: Part 1, Principles
Some teams try to start projects directly with user stories, but many important things need to happen earlier to make those effective. Chartering (aka Liftoff) provides a better way to structure the start of a project. Beyond that, there are Continue reading Chartering and more: What happens before user stories?
I’ve been broadcasting on Twitch (https://twitch.tv/williamwake) for about 6 months. It took a little doing to understand what I needed to set up, so I thought I’d pay it forward and share what I did with others. At the end, Continue reading Setup for Live-Coding on Twitch (and Zoom)
I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes This is a compelling thriller, what I used to call an airport read. (Admittedly 2020 is clearly trying hard to outdo fiction.) It has all the classic elements – a huge threat, characters we Continue reading Review – I Am Pilgrim