Removed the barrier for test writing

This is a great book because it teaches the novice how to do simple tests and shows experienced testers some of the more complicated things you can do with tests. Shortly after reading this book I emarked on packaging up a module, intending to get it onto CPAN. Trying to get a module created and packaged is not terribly hard, but it is difficult knowing where to start. The same is true with writing tests. This book removed that barrier. If writing tests for your software seems like an intimidating prospect, get this book: it will probably tell you what you need to know and will certainly give you an excellent place to start. It may even give guidance with some of the trickier tests you come up with.

Why 4/5 stars? I have found a few bits and pieces of information that would have been useful but the book did not cover (or, more precisely, I do not remember the book covering). Perhaps the most important omission is specification-based testing using LectroTest. It could be that the module came out after the book was published in which case the book gets 4/5 stars for its age. I could be wrong, but I get the impression that Perl testing has grown a lot since 2005, so perhaps they should write a second edition.

I can say this much: If O'Reilly were to put out a second edition of this book, I would buy it.

Other Reviews

• Removed the barrier for test writing
• Very mechanical
• Covers the subject will all needed detail.
• Good for narrow focus on perl and testing
• Good material, interesting format