Writing automated tests is hard. Why? Changing data, inconsistent behaviors, unreliable environments, tightly coupled code, and more. In this session, we'll explore approaches for overcoming these challenges and writing robust and comprehensive automated tests. Topics explored will include mocking HTTP calls, creating effective test data, choosing between testing paradigms like unit, integration, and end-to-end tests, and custom dev tools. After this session, you'll walk away with new patterns and tools for comprehensively testing your app.

The first Law of Ecology: you can never merely do one thing. Actions have side-effects. In this session, we'll explore how changes in software design can have unexpected, profound impacts. In this story-based session, I'll reference both popular and little-known "laws" of computing and life. I'll show how to use these laws to write better software. This session will give you new mental models for thinking about the tradeoffs we make in software...and life.