I assume that you refer to the technique of documenting the functionality of a module indirectly by providing tests which double as example code, labeled by a message which indicates what the test is for. That is certainly useful as a supplement, but not as a substitute for the summary of functionality that typically appears in POD or javadocs.

If you were trying to grok the flow of data through several classes, and through perhaps 10 or 20 methods, would you prefer dredging the intended use for each method out of the test code over consulting a purpose-built summary? I think you would have a hard time achieving the level of confidence required by the second test in your sig. Bad software! Bad! :)

--
Marvin Humphrey
Rectangular Research ― http://www.rectangular.com

In reply to Re^2: Documenting non-public OO components by creamygoodness
in thread Documenting non-public OO components by creamygoodness

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