Byte-sized RSE: Unit Testing

Please note that this session is funded by UKRN, with the primary audience being the UKRN network. Tickets will be made available to the general public on 3 November.

Testing is a critical part of writing reliable, maintainable code — especially in collaborative or research environments where reproducibility and correctness are key. In this session, we will explore why testing matters, and introduce different levels of testing — from small, focused unit tests, to broader integration and system tests that check how components work together. We will also look at testing approaches such as regression testing (to ensure changes do not break existing behavior) and property-based testing (to test a wide range of inputs automatically). Finally, we will cover mocking, a technique used to isolate code during tests by simulating the behavior of external dependencies.

About Byte-sized RSE

Byte-sized RSE is a series of events providing key research software skills in just 1 hour! Byte-sized RSE series was originally developed by the SSI and Imperial College London in 2022 as part of the UNIVERSE-HPC project. We are currently running 6 selected episodes from the original series. Each session has a companion podcast episode in the Code for Thought podcast series.

About the Research Software Camp: Careers and Skills in Research Software

The Software Sustainability Institute (SSI) runs Research Software Camps (RSCs), which aim to improve coding literacy by providing attendees with tailored programmes consisting of online workshops; panel discussions; resources such as guides, articles, and videos; and one-to-one support around specific topics within research software. The RSC format prioritises entry-level training while also supporting the transition to intermediate skills.

This year’s Research Software Camp, Careers and Skills in Research Software, will be delivered over the course of two weeks as a multi-session event tailored for early-career professionals, recent graduates, and anyone looking to transition into research software roles. Through a combination of hands-on workshops and engaging panel discussions, attendees will gain a strong foundation in both the technical and professional competencies in research software.