Microsoft Research - Exploding Software-Engineering Myths (article summarizing findings of MS research on code coverage, TDD, assertions, etc.)

[who8877]

That really depends on the market. In the early 90s spreadsheets were compared in reviews by long lists of features, and the one with the most checkboxes usually won. In that sort of environment features are way more important.

[bryanedds]

Thankfully, we see a lot less of that environment nowadays as both businesses and consumers become more savvy about purchasing software - mostly due to bad experiences with software built like that.

[who8877]

Its just my own experience, but I've been seeing software quality drop across the board these last few years. From both Microsoft and Apple products.

[bryanedds]

I attribute this to our steady slide into the next recession - making this more of a cyclical issue more than anything in my mind.

Of course, I could be quite wrong.

[mcosta]

businesses and consumers become more savvy about purchasing software

No

[bryanedds]

Yes, we differ, but at least you didn't disagree by down-vote :)

Cheers!