Windows 95: A Glimpse into Its Testing Journey
As Windows 95 approaches its 30th anniversary, reflections from Microsoft veteran Raymond Chen shed light on the innovative yet unconventional testing methods employed during its development. In a bid to ensure a seamless launch, Microsoft placed a strong emphasis on compatibility, leading to an unexpected discovery that had little to do with the operating system itself.
In a rather bold move, a proactive Microsoft manager embarked on a mission to acquire a vast array of applications to test against the new operating system. This manager took to a local store, purchasing one copy of every PC program available. The result was a towering stack of software boxes, which were then deposited in the cafeteria for the Windows 95 team to explore.
However, there was a catch: engineers who selected one or two programs were tasked with the responsibility of testing them on Windows 95. They were required to log any issues encountered and return the software for further investigation if necessary. This hands-on approach not only encouraged thorough testing but also allowed engineers to keep the software once Windows 95 was officially released. As Chen reminisced, “If you did a good job with your two, you could come back for more.”
This method of ensuring compatibility stands in stark contrast to the modern Windows Insider program, showcasing the evolution of testing practices over the years.
Yet, amidst this ambitious testing initiative, an unforeseen consequence emerged—one that highlighted a limitation in the retail system rather than the operating system itself. The cash register at the store where the Microsoft manager made his purchases was not equipped to handle a total exceeding ,000. Chen recounted, “The store’s cash register crashed whenever the total exceeded ,000,” illustrating how Operation “Buy All The Things” inadvertently put the retail system to the test.
In the context of the 1990s, a ,000 purchase made in a single transaction was quite extraordinary. Chen noted, “Who would buy ,000 of stuff by just walking into a store? If you’re going to buy that much stuff, you would use a purchase order, right?”
The solution to this retail conundrum was a familiar one for programmers: breaking the total into manageable chunks that fell below the ,000 threshold. Thus, the testing proceeded, and the legacy of Windows 95 was solidified.
It is indeed amusing to consider that the launch of Windows 95 was nearly thwarted by a limitation in a completely separate system, reminding us that even the most groundbreaking software can encounter unexpected hurdles. While Windows 95 faced its share of challenges, exceeding the calculator’s limit was not one of them.
