Testing Smalltalk applications

Many of the problems encountered in testing Smalltalk applications are similar to the problems encountered in testing any software system: how to encourage (managerially) an adequate testing process, how to define test plans and test cases, how to test the tests, etc. One major difference in testing a Smalltalk application, however, is the role the development environment plays in the testing process. On one hand, the development environment fosters early and continuous testing, and eases the development of tools that support testing. On the other hand, developers tend to write code and add features more quickly (sometimes even changing the compiler/run-time environment) which complicates the introduction of a testing process that adequately balances the cost of testing with the cost of releasing a product.