Create Test Data

It pains me when I see applications get off of the ground and they start out performing well in the first few months and then after some significant usage they slow down and become unweildy. It's because the application was tested with little or no data in the database.

How we have combated this in our group is to create "test data" and LOTS of it! In fact, working with our business sponsors on one project we determined that a certain number of transactions would be created in a year and that only 3 years of data was ever needed on hand. Older data could be archived. So, we planned for triple that amount and entered 10 years of test data and then expected the application to perform at the same level.

We learned a lot from our testing and made the necessary alterations for the application to perform well working with years of data.

The Joel Test

I got these from Joel Spolsky's latest book (previous blog entry). It's a test for every software team. How does your team score?

• Do you use source control?
• Can you make a build in one step?
• Do you make daily builds?
• Do you have a bug database?
• Do you fix bugs before writing new code?
• Do you have an up-to-date schedule?
• Do you have a spec?
• Do programmers have quiet working conditions?
• Do you use the best tools money can buy?
• Do you have testers?
• Do new candidates write code during their interview?
• Do you do hallway usability testing?

More details here: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000043.html