← Graph

Specs vs Tests

concept 1 connections

Distinction Kristoff draws at wroclove.rb 2025: there is a semantic difference between specs and tests. Specs are a subset of tests — written for humans, focused on expressing intent. Plain tests (minitest in test mode, testbench, quickdraw by Joel Drapper) are written for the computer. RSpec is a spec tool and is poorly suited to write plain tests; teams that install it and write tests are 'failing at using it correctly'. Ballistic metaphor: don't use a bazooka to kill a child (or a sledgehammer for a nail) when a knife will do.

category
practice
about
Specs vs Tests concept
Draws the core distinction between specs (for humans) and tests (for the computer).

Provenance

Created in
wroclove.rb 2025 lightning talks 2026-04-18 08:03