A Perl toolbox for regression tests
TESTING TOOLS
With a test suite, you can fix bugs and add new features without ruining the existing codebase.
A program that works right the first time is uncommon enough to make you suspicious. In test-driven development, developers first define a test case before implementing a feature. Inevitably, the test will fail at first, but as soon as the feature gets implemented – presto – the test suite gives a thumbs up. This technique motivates developers throughout the development lifecycle; each new test adds to the test suite and will be executed again and again as the project emerges. Small steps add up to a detailed test suite that no quality management department in the world would be capable of achieving. In case of ongoing development and refactoring, there is always some danger of a change introducing undesirable side effects. Having the ability to run hundreds of test cases at no cost takes the worries out of replacing parts of a system. Developers can roll out new releases on a regular basis and yet sleep tight and enjoy sweet dreams. You don’t need to be an Extreme Programming enthusiast to see the benefits.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Red Hat Releases RHEL 10 Early
Red Hat quietly rolled out the official release of RHEL 10.0 a bit early.
-
openSUSE Joins End of 10
openSUSE has decided to not only join the End of 10 movement but it also will no longer support the Deepin Desktop Environment.
-
New Version of Flatpak Released
Flatpak 1.16.1 is now available as the latest, stable version with various improvements.
-
IBM Announces Powerhouse Linux Server
IBM has unleashed a seriously powerful Linux server with the LinuxONE Emperor 5.
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.