Earlier this year, I bought a car—my first new car. Although it fills me with sanctimonious hybrid glee (it really does), it’s making me neurotic with instrument panel indicator lights. The low-tire-pressure indicator after the weather turned cold. The insistent exclamation point from the airbag computer in my seat. The glaring amber beacon from the Integrated Motor Assist battery. I’ve never had so many things go wrong with a car!

Or have I?

Incorporating automated tests into your Continuous Integration build process can feel similar. You’re suddenly presented with all these errors. Your product seems to be broken all the time. You liked it better when things were quiet and you didn’t know how bad it was. Read the rest of this entry »