Test Driven Development

What is Test Driven Development?

Test Driven Development (TDD) is a software development approach where tests are written before the actual code. The main idea is to create tests for a piece of functionality first, then write the code needed to pass those tests.

Purpose of Test Driven Development

The purpose of TDD is to ensure that the code meets the required functionality and works correctly from the start. By writing tests first, developers can clarify what the code should do and ensure that all requirements are met.

How Does it Work?

1. Write a Test: Begin by writing a test that defines a small piece of functionality.
2. Run the Test: Execute the test to see it fail, which confirms that the test is valid and that the functionality is not yet implemented.
3. Write Code: Develop the code needed to make the test pass.
4. Run Tests: Check if the new code passes the test.
5. Refactor: Improve the code while ensuring it still passes all tests.
6. Repeat: Continue this cycle for each piece of functionality.

Benefits

1. Improves Quality: Ensures that the code meets the defined requirements and functions correctly.
2. Early Error Detection: Identifies issues early in the development process, reducing the cost of fixing bugs.
3. Better Design: Encourages simple and clean code design.
4. Documentation: Tests act as documentation for how the code should behave.

Conclusion

Test Driven Development is a powerful approach that helps in creating reliable and well-tested software. By writing tests before code, developers ensure that their code meets requirements and functions correctly, leading to higher quality and better-designed software.