[Python-Dev] Using temp files and the Internet in regression tests

[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 (specifically C stuff), but if you
> think I am ready for it then it would be extremely cool to get
> commit privs (and not have to wait for anonymous CVS updates when
> the servers get overloaded or bug people to commit _strptime patches
> =).

OK, you're on.

> 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. :-)

> 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 test_urllib was so lacking).  Could also start by hashing
> out these docs and making sure regrtest and test_support 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.

> 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.

--Guido van Rossum (home page: http://www.python.org/~guido/)