> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.workroom-productions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Exploratory Interfaces 4: Tests
- URL: https://www.workroom-productions.com/exploratory-interfaces-4-tests/
- Published: 2025-12-04T15:15:34.000Z
- Updated: 2025-12-04T15:15:34.000Z
- Description: Explore the passing tests of a built product to explore the product.
- Author: James Lyndsay
- Tags: Exercises, #PlayTime

We can explore tests; reading through them to judge whether they are any good. 

Here is a different framing... 

- If tests are executable, then those tests describe the product in a way that can be programatically judged.
- If the existing product *passes those tests*, then the tests **describe the existing product**. Not what we want from it, but the product itself.

We can explore a product by exploring its passing tests.

## Exercise

### Explore existing tests

*10 mins*

Let's look at the tests for a [crossword maker](https://www.workroom-productions.com/testing-transparently/). Let's look specifically at those tests which describe valid and invalid crosswords. What can we discover about the crossword maker by collating those tests that describe what it considers to be valid and invalid crosswords?

We'll take `subject_e`, and start by looking at 

- <https://exercises.workroomprds.com/tt%5Fsubject2%5Fe/testRunner.html?grep=validateGrid%20%5Cx2d%20Complete%20Grid%20Validation>

Note: you can see the assertions by clicking on each test. You'll need to look at the source of the tests to see the setup etc. 

### More exploring

Once you're in the (test) source, have a look around to see if we need to widen our search. 

### Debrief

*5 mins*

What did we learn about the *product* from its tests?

*Key question*: does the product care about valid and invalid crosswords?

### Extend...

> We can explore a product by exploring its passing tests.

*Can* we?