[Python-Dev] Using temp files and the Internet in regression tests (original) (raw)

Brett Cannon drifty@alum.berkeley.edu
Mon, 14 Apr 2003 15:59:46 -0700 (PDT)

[Guido van Rossum]

> > That would be great. Do you have a SF userid yet? Then we can give > > you commit privs! > > bcannon is my username. I was going to wait to ask for commit privs > until I had done more patches OK, you're on.

Cool! Thanks, Guido! No more recv() resets from SF! Woohoo!

> I could. Going to have to learn more LaTeX (and the special > extensions). So I can take this on, but I can't make any promises > on when this will get done (I would be personally horrified if I > can't get this done before 2.3 final gets out the door, but you > never know).

With LaTeX, the monkey-see-monkey-do approach works pretty well, combined with the Fred-will-fix-my-LaTeX-bugs approach. :-)

=) Works for me.

> Should there be a testing SIG? Could keep a list of tests that > could stand to be rewritten or added (I know I was surprised to > discover testurllib was so lacking). Could also start by hashing > out these docs and making sure regrtest and testsupport stay > updated and relevant.

I don't know about a SIG. Testing of what's in the core is fair game for python-dev. 3rd party testing, ask around.

OK, no SIG then.

> Personally, I think writing regression tests is a good way to get > new people to help with Python. They are simple to write and allows > someone to be able to get involved beyond just filing a bug. I know > it was a thrill for me the first time I got code checked in and > maybe making the entry point easier by trying to get more people to > write more regression tests for the libraries will help give someone > else that rush and thus become more involved. > > Or maybe I am just bonkers. =)

Writing a good regression test requires excellent knowledge about the code you're testing while not touching it, so that's indeed a good way to learn.

One of these days I am going to put together an "Intro to python-dev" page that discusses the basic etiquette on the list and how to slowly get more and more involved.

But it looks like I have some LaTeX docs to write first.

-Brett