[IxDA Discuss] how to test GUI requirements

[Jim Drew]

>From: pauric <radiorental at gmail.com>
>
>Liz, I havent got an answer for you.  We have a stellar in-house QA
>dept with low level functional test, automated CLI testing and
>intensive systems testing.  I've been involved with the dept for 11
>years now and we still havent found an automated way to test
>compliance with web specs or style guide.  It boils down to
>experienced tester catching inconsistencies as well as recommending
>enhancements.  I know they looked at some software a while back that
>automated a mouse pointer, but it didnt cut the mustard.

Since it's what I do for a living, I concur with Pauric.  In most cases, the sample of what to test is so broad and the level of test such a combination of simple and subtle, that you'll spend more effort automating the testing than you'll get value back out of it.

That said, if you had a suite or company wide set of style guidelines written in a uniform, structured way -- Adobe had some of this under Andrei's watch and later -- there might be enough leveragability to be able to apply some tests across multiple apps.  It could be interesting to develop some mechanisms for that.

But what you really need is an anal-retentive Virgo with an eye for detail, the ability to visually detect single-pixel dialog control misalignments and gradient flaws at 6 feet, a desire to make beautiful software, and a directive to get the Dev and Design teams to listen.

-- Jim