Better Software East 2017 Concurrent Session : Word Smatter: Exploring Semantics, Testers, and Problems

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Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - 2:45pm to 3:45pm

Word Smatter: Exploring Semantics, Testers, and Problems

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“Testers [do|don’t] (help) [prevent|detect] problems.” Throughout his career, Damian Synadinos has encountered many variations of this phrase, which uses just a few small words to express many big ideas. It is important to understand what each word means individually to better understand the ideas they convey collectively. The study of the meaning in words is semantics. Damian begins with a brief and broad overview of semantics and some related ideas, which set the stage for deep analysis of each individual word and its potential meaning. We consider: Testers—What might this word mean in different contexts? Do|Don’t—How are normative and descriptive statements involved? Help—How does the inclusion or exclusion of this word affect the meaning of the phrase? Prevent|Detect—What do causality and perspective have to do with the word we choose? Problems—What exactly is the thing that is being prevented or detected? Damian demystifies and promotes semantics, and introduces critical concepts that have practical impacts on testers, their roles, and their responsibilities.

Damian Synadinos
Ineffable Solutions

Damian Synadinos started testing software—on purpose and for money—in 1993. Since then, he has helped “build better software and build software better” using various methods and tools in numerous roles at many companies in diverse industries. In the past ten years, Damian has focused primarily on teaching and leading testers, and improving processes. Currently, he runs his own training and consulting company, Ineffable Solutions, specializing in IT and focusing on testing. Damian enjoys performing improv comedy, playing poker and basketball, gaming, acting, cartooning, playing golf, and spending time with his family.