Patterns for Test Asset Reusability

Typically, testers write a test case for the one component and sub-system they are testing, thus limiting its value. What if you could repurpose and reuse previously developed test assets across several components and sub-systems? Vishal Chowdhary shares three test patterns he has encountered many times while testing various .NET Framework components at Microsoft. The “Test One, Get One Free” pattern describes how to test features that are layered-where a feature enhances an inner core feature. The “Features Get Tested Alike” pattern describes how to test similar features that are exposed via different interfaces to the user (e.g., through an API vs. the user interface). The “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” pattern lays down design guidelines to optimally build reusable components that can be leveraged between feature teams testing large software products. Explaining their context, usage, and implementation details, Vishal presents these patterns so that you can adapt them for use on many different applications and software products.