We Need to Stop Calling Everything a Mock

We Need to Stop Calling Everything a Mock

Here’s a question for you. What is the difference between a Spy and a Partial Mock? How about a Strict Mock? Test Double? Stub? What if I code it by hand instead of using a framework. Does that make it a Fake? Actually, I don’t think so! The language around...

Test Desiderata 2.0

Kent Beck is one of the original authors of JUnit, an open source tool that kick-started a huge shift in programmer behaviour that I and others have found immensely valuable. In 2019 he published his “Test Desiderata” with advice about the properties he...

The Microskills Theory of Programming

How to Succeed with Technical Coaching Software Developers are constantly shifting between activities. It might all be ‘coding’ but when you look more closely there are hundreds of distinct activities and decisions being taken about what to do next. The...

Turn off your AI Assistant for Code Katas

Code Katas are small exercises which can help you to practice coding skills in a safe environment. They are fun little problems with quirky themes that should hold your attention and be enjoyable to work on. I’ve personally been doing code katas for more than 20...

Samman Coaching in 2021

Photo by Designecologist from Pexels I am convinced that the world needs more technical coaches. Practices like Refactoring and Test-Driven Development don’t just happen by themselves. It takes quite an investment in time and effort for most developers...