/g/ — Is writing software tests a spook or is there some merit to

>>109060490 (OP)
it can save your ass

at this day and age, you might be better off starting with the tests

>>109060950
>>109060951
who is right here

>>109060958
usecase? if your codebase is mess or you work with llm, use tests.

>>109060967
but there was test-driven-development before llms.
my code is always good but I still do some testing from time to time

it is better to test one system with another system. isolated tests should be small and simple, or justified by the absense of counterpart system, imo

>>109060490 (OP)
it depends on the language and code complexity
dynamically typed slop and other memelangs more often require it
sane code shouldn't need it, you should be able to cleanly review your logic just by reading it a few times and if not you have code smell. unfortunately, most codebases have code smell so it's never a bad idea to write tests at your discretion

One non obvious argument in favor of unit tests is that they help you break down your code into manageable subtasks. Suppose that to see something on screen you need A, B and C. But if you write A, test it, then write B, test, then write C, test ind the connect the whole thing - it's much easier to move that way mentally and you're less likely to make a mistake.

I suspect the problem with people who refuse to write tests is that they don't want to make an effort to think how to write testable modular code and just want all or nothing, but if you want to achieve something, you need discipline.

>>109060490 (OP)
I don't know, anon. should I test software changes that could potentially do millions of dollars in damages in a matter of hours? I'll let you decide.

>>109060999
the most important usecase for tests are regression tests which you usually do not and often can not do manually while working on a feature.
I did a major dependency upgrade recently and without tests it would have been impossible to find and fix all regressions.

>>109060490 (OP)
anon i get paid some good money just for writing software tests