Subj : Re: extreme programming (thoughts)
To   : comp.programming
From : Joe Seigh
Date : Thu Jul 21 2005 10:11 pm

Phlip wrote:
> jen wrote:
>>I personally cannot think through a difficult algorithm when I'm
>>sitting next to someone else.
> 
> 
> The rule is "pairs write all production code via tests". Not all software
> engineering is cutting production code.
> 
> To invent a difficult algorithm, code solo if you like, and test-last if you
> like. Then trivially port your tests to the project, with a pair, and use
> the tests to reconstruct your code.
> 

What?  You have a different definition of algorithm than what most of
us have or else you're talking about a specific area of application
with a rather narrow range of algorithms that can be described in
inputs and outputs.  I have a program I'm using to test two different
forms of GC and I doubt you could recreate either algorithm from that.


-- 
Joe Seigh

When you get lemons, you make lemonade.
When you get hardware, you make software.

.