Tester's Musings

I agree on the 'quality assurance' comment -- semantically and practically it is not a very useful term.  (a) semantically, any product will have an inherent level of Quality [0 <= Q <= 1] as soon as it is released in whichever environment. A level of Quality is already 'assured' as soon as the software product exits the compiler.  (b) practically, a 100% assurance of High Quality [a score of 1.00] is impossible, not even on a quantum level -- as soon as we observe something at that level, it changes the specifics of what we were trying to observe.   However, on the confidence/acceptance scale, it must be agreeable that Testing directly/indirectly ascertains the Confidence level perceived from using the SUT(Subject Under Test). This would be attested to by 'tested' cars, planes, and rockets -- and by extension, software products. These products are not perfect 100% Confidence Level ["C" score = 1.00] but empirically also not Confidence Level 0. T...

I will defer to the term polyhistor(specifically as a GenXer) though 'pattern weaver' (an emergent GenA term) is a more synergistic way of saying it.  A polyhistor is basically a person with a lot of inquiries, spanning different interests. A polyhistor's thinking framework maximizes the proto-synthetic nature of the mind -- meaning it is able to quest at a given scenario / or multiple scenarios and synthesize a pattern/s and from there synthesize a hypothesis that might uncover the plausible source that is causing the pattern.  Such polyhistors make good testers (and theorists).  'I will a little think' -- so said a polyhistor once. source:  pattern weaver as a phrase: no known history as per 2026  youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_Ym61SEM0o 

.The atoms in the test_phase_space are data points. .The root [smallest unit] of testing is not atomic, but rather composite [comprised of multiple atoms(data_points)].  .The smallest unit that expresses 'testing' is the testpath: the testpath alone determines the SUT's properties: ramification level and the peculiarities [particular interaction/s with specific data points] to be encountered.  .The essence of Testing is to 'know' the testpath under quest. And by knowing, we can then evaluate the SUT[Subject Under Test].  .Which one to know first is guided by risk-based prioritization.