The August 2020 ACCU Overload journal has been published and should arrive at members' addresses in the next few days. Overload 158 and previous issues of Overload can be accessed in Overload Online.

ACCU London is proud to host an ACCU Online event - a rescheduling of Chris Oldwood's previously cancelled "A Test of Strength" talk.

The event will be hosted virtually, on Remo. This will also give us the social and networking aspect of meet-ups that we miss from the in-person version.

When: Wednesday, 12th August 2020, 19:00 start.

Where: A link to the event will be sent to those who RSVP as attending nearer the time.

To Attend: Please sign up on the ACCU London event page.

Title: A Test of Strength

Speaker: Chris Oldwood

About the Talk:

If there is one place that we find it easy to take shortcuts it's when writing tests. Whether we're under the cosh or have an overly-optimistic view of our ability to write self-documenting code, instead of creating tests that support the production code and development process we can find ourselves producing WTFs (Weak Test Functions). The net effect is often a vicious cycle that disparages, instead of encourages us.

In the past I've tried many different ways to try and short-circuit the test writing process, but have only come-up short every time. This session takes a look at why skimping on elements of the test structure, such as organisation, naming and scope only leads to pain and hardship in the long run. Along the way we'll uncover the truth behind common folklore, such as only having one assertion per test.

About the speaker:

Chris is a freelance developer who started out as a bedroom coder in the 80 s writing assembler on 8-bit micros; these days it s C++ and C# in plush corporate offices. He writes the "Afterwood" back piece in Overload magazine and the "In The Toolbox" column for C Vu magazine. Chris also commentates on the Godmanchester duck race. He can be contacted via gort@cix.co.uk or @chrisoldwood.

Phil Nash reports:

"C++ on Sea is taking place (online) next week! We're going to be running it on the Remo platform. There's a bit about that, along with the schedule and other announcements here:

There are many ACCU members already signed up - and quite a few speaking. Still time for more to sign up, of course :-)"

ACCU and its local groups are community sponsors of C++ on Sea.

The June 2020 ACCU Overload journal has been published and should arrive at members' addresses in the next few days. Overload 157 and previous issues of Overload can be accessed in Overload Online.