Pull requests (PRs) is the modern Colosseum of software development. Here, code meets its fate at the hands of fellow gladiators—your peers. And nothing quite brings the drama of ancient Rome to modern coding like the dreaded “request for change” button, especially when it’s because your PR lacks tests.

Imagine the scene: you, a senior engineer, have toiled away, crafting what you believe to be an exquisite piece of software artistry. It’s not just code; it’s a sonnet, a delicate balance of function and form. With a flourish, you submit your PR, expecting laurels to be thrown at your feet. Instead, what you get is the digital equivalent of a thumbs-down from Caesar: “You are a senior engineer, and your PR does not have tests? Shame on you!”

The words echo through the marble halls of your mind like a harsh wind. Shame? On me? The sting is palpable. It’s not just a comment on your PR; it feels like a comment on your very soul. How could this happen? You who have debugged systems in the dead of night, who have refactored legacy code that made lesser engineers weep, who have faced down segmentation faults with the calm of a Zen master. And yet, here you are, being called out for not including tests.

The “request for change” button, once a mere UI element, now looms over you like a judgmental god, its decree sending ripples through your being. It’s not just a button; it’s a portal to existential dread. For a moment, you consider defending your honor. “Tests?” you think. “I’ll show you tests! I’ll write a test suite so comprehensive, it’ll test the very fabric of reality itself!” But as the initial shock fades, you’re left with a lingering frustration that could sour your mood for a day, or even a week.

You see, in the grand tapestry of engineering, tests are not just about ensuring your code works. They’re a demonstration of professionalism, a safeguard for the future, a nod to the fact that code lives and breathes and changes, and without tests, we’re just one misunderstood requirement away from chaos. To omit them is seen not just as an oversight, but as a breach of an unspoken code among engineers.

The request for change on your PR is a wake-up call, a reminder that no matter how high one rises, the basics still apply. It’s a humbling experience, a moment of learning that keeps the ego in check. And so, you do what engineers do best: you adapt, you overcome. You swallow the bitter pill of criticism, and you get to work writing those tests.

And as you write, something miraculous happens. The frustration fades, replaced by the quiet satisfaction of a job well done. With each test, you’re not just proving your code works; you’re weaving a safety net, both for the project and for your future self. By the time you hit “submit” on your updated PR, you’re no longer the same engineer. You’re wiser, more resilient, and a little more humble.

So, let the “request for change” come. Let it challenge you, frustrate you, even anger you. Because it’s in these moments of challenge that we grow. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what engineering is all about? Growth, learning, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, tests and all.