How do you test a <insert arbitrary item>

I don’t like “how would you test an X” question. I wrote a lot about them, and alternatives to them, here: Interview ideas

I’ve had various answers over the years to give back to these people. I enjoy “I would not do that” and “why?” because it tells me if the questioner bothered to have any context prepared. I like “what do you want to know about it?” because it says that I don’t test in a vacuum, I provide a service for other people whose needs define how I work. Some people ask “how would you test an X” questions looking to see if I ask any questions… but then they don’t question my answers, so my answers could be anything.

I demand context. If I wanted to follow orders without question or understanding I’d have joined the military.

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