The practice, often humorously depicted, involves evaluating software changes within a live, user-facing environment. This contrasts with traditional testing approaches conducted in isolated staging areas. A common illustration might feature a user encountering unexpected behavior resulting from newly deployed code.
Its perceived value stems from the ability to uncover issues that might not surface in controlled testing scenarios. Factors such as real-world data volumes, user behavior patterns, and intricate system interactions are difficult to replicate perfectly in pre-production settings. Furthermore, this approach has evolved alongside DevOps methodologies, emphasizing faster release cycles and continuous feedback.