Visual Inspection vs API 600

The OG bug catcher meets the gate valve bible for oil and gas. Here's our take.

Visual Inspection

Nice Pick

The OG bug catcher. No fancy tools, just eyeballs and coffee.

Pros

• Catches subtle UI/UX issues automated tests miss
• Requires no setup or dependencies
• Encourages team collaboration and knowledge sharing

Cons

• Highly subjective and prone to human error
• Time-consuming and not scalable for large codebases

API 600

The gate valve bible for oil and gas. If your valve doesn't meet this, it's probably leaking somewhere it shouldn't.

Pros

• Ensures valves can handle extreme pressures and temperatures without failing
• Standardizes materials and dimensions for reliable interchangeability across suppliers
• Mandates rigorous testing and inspection to prevent catastrophic failures in critical applications

Cons

• Compliance can be expensive and time-consuming for manufacturers
• Primarily focused on steel gate valves, limiting applicability to other valve types

The Verdict

Use Visual Inspection if: You want catches subtle ui/ux issues automated tests miss and can live with highly subjective and prone to human error.

Use API 600 if: You prioritize ensures valves can handle extreme pressures and temperatures without failing over what Visual Inspection offers.

The Bottom Line

Visual Inspection wins

The OG bug catcher. No fancy tools, just eyeballs and coffee.