6 Compelling Benefits of (TDD) Test Driven Development

A key aspect in software development, test-driven development (TDD) raises the level of code quality and guarantees that all procedures are carried out. One of the benefits of TDD is that it enables developers to plan their code before they begin to write it. Advantages of TDD is that it aids in lowering the number of errors and enhancing the code's maintainability. As a result, TDD can speed up and improve development initiatives while lowering expenses. Agile Management certifications will help you master and practice agile methodology to innovate and progress.

What is Test-driven Development (TDD)?

Test-driven Development (TDD) is an approach to software development in which test cases are created to specify and evaluate what the code will accomplish. Simply put, test cases for each capability are built and tested first, and if the test fails, new code is generated to pass the test and give simple, bug-free code.

Test-driven Designing and creating tests for each minor aspect of an application's functioning is the first step in development. The TDD framework tells programmers to build new code only if an automated test fails. It prevents code duplication. Test-driven development is the full name for TDD. 

Developing and fixing failed tests before writing new code are some of the advantages of test-driven development (TDD) (before development). In test-driven development, tests are created and performed in advance of the application's real development. Consequently, TDD is also known as test-first development. 

What is a Test-driven Development Process?

The three phases of Test Driven Development are Red, Green, and Refactor, and this is the order in which the phases are applied when writing code. When these steps are followed, you can help ensure that you are writing only the code that needs to be tested and that you have tests for the code you are writing.

Red Cycle

The developer must write tests against no code, making this phase the most challenging. It may seem challenging to decide what to test in the absence of code, yet all that is required is a change in perspective. Most of us pick it up quickly and develop habits around it. Your test won't compile because you wrote the first test without creating the code to declare the class and function.

Once more, this is equivalent to a test failing. After you've fixed the compilation error, run the test again to check whether it fails or passes. Your unit test framework will raise a red alert in this situation.

Green Cycle

The following stage entails writing the code, but only the code is required to pass the first test. Run the framework's unit tests after compiling your code. Another theoretical barrier that TDD rookie developers face is the concept of writing "just enough" code to pass a test. After the first test passes, you begin creating the next test. If the next test fails, then continue to add code until the test is passed.

Refractor

You are still "in the green" during the refactoring phase. You can start thinking about ways to better or more efficiently implement your code. When considering refactoring your test suite, keep the criteria of a good test in mind. Given that you have covered business requirements in the form of unit tests, this phase aims to look at other aspects such as design patterns, code maintainability, code quality, readability, and so on.

You don't have to worry about missing functionality while refactoring since when you make changes to the code and build it again; test cases will run automatically to ensure functionality. Existing test cases should continue to pass once the refactoring process is complete to guarantee that the performance has not been damaged. The unit validation process displays a red bar for failed tests and a green bar for succeeding tests, hence the name Red/Green Refactor.

Levels of TDD Test Driven Development

TDD approach requires great discipline because the common tendency and traditional approaches inspire the programmers to “slip the test” and to write the functional code. To simplify TDD implementation process, Agile TDD methodology can be categorized into two levels: 

1. Acceptance TDD (ATDD): At this stage, you write the acceptance test specifying behavioral specifications, and then write the functionality/code. ATDD also termed ‘Behavior Driven Development’ (BDD), neglects the thin separating line over the focus area, and specifies the detailed and executable requirements for the acceptable solution on JIT- just in time basis. 
2. Developer TDD: At this advanced level of TDD in the Agile process, you write the developer test prior to writing the production code accordingly. The objective of TDD developer is to specify the detailed and practical design for the profitable solution on JIT basis. 

6 Benefits of (TDD) Test Driven Development

TDD has been the favorite approach of Agile organizations, following the time-tested approaches to delivering the best quality product in a shorter period while securing the interests of all the stakeholders. It essentially bridges the gap between Development and Testing. 

A survey conducted in 2010 confirmed that 53% of Agile teams were following Developer TDD while 44% Agile teams were applying Acceptance TDD (ATDD) method. For the period of 7 years, Test Driven Development is getting massive popularity and acceptance because of several behavorial and practical benefits; 6 key TDD benefits, driving the Agile teams to follow TDD methodology, are:  

1. The Best Level Acceptance

TDD implementation helps the developers to understand the requirements from the perspective experience of clients. The test cases are designed without the constraints of architecture design or traditional programming approaches. TDD maximizes the possibility of developing the best quality product fulfilling the communicated needs of all the stakeholders.

2. TDD - Customer-Centric Agile Process

TDD process fits into the customer-centric agile methodology. The iteration for quality improvement is defined as the incorporation of new functionality against the model set of traditional practices or problem statements.

3. Prompt Feedback

The streamlined TDD process helps the project development team members to improve their delivery capability because of providing immediate feedback on the developed components. The shorter feedback-sharing loop squeezes the turnaround period for the elimination of identified defects; and, the outcome is comparatively much better than it is in traditional waterfall methodology. 

4. Extended Modulation for Small Units

TDD helps to create better modularized, extensible, and flexible code. Test Driven Development approach drives the Agile team to plan, develop and test the small units to be integrated at the advanced stage. Under this approach, the concerned member delivers and performs better because of being more focused on the smaller units. 

5. Easy Anticipation & Identification of Voids

Test Driven Development process provides a comprehensive toolset to test every line of coding; the best part is that the entire thing is checked automatically within minutes. The comprehensive test suite alerts for timely changes to save the effort, time, and cost. Even in case, you inherit the coding of an absent team member or you outsource the coding, TDD allows you to test the practical suitability in the line of specified requirements, provided, you have author code. Fast testing at each step helps you to anticipate and identify the possible voids and to fill up those with modified practices.

6. Programmers Feel More Confident By Continuous Achievement

Looking at big targets sometimes disheartens the programmers because of the complications involved. With TDD approach, every test instills the confidence of moving in the right direction. Every test, sub-test and successfully completed component marks the win giving you a clear picture of ‘what has been completed and what is remaining to be done?”

Cons of Test-driven Development

There are lots of benefits of test driven development, but you should be aware of a few drawbacks as well. Following are a few cons of TDD:

Speed 

The primary disadvantage of TDD is how quickly development moves forward. While TDD is the best option for creating a high-quality product, it inevitably slows development until it becomes the team's culture and way of thinking.

Maintenance Test

In TDD, maintaining test code is a given. Functionality tests are updated in response to changes in the product requirements, and the implementation code is modified. Based on the nature of the system, there are several options to remove pointless tests.

Steep Learning Curve

TDD isn't as easy as it first appears to be. Since it differs from standard systems, it has a high learning curve and demands the greatest level of commitment and practice. Even if it takes up a significant amount of your time, you will eventually gain from it. Making difficult tests simple is a complex task that is accomplished with experience.

Dedicated Time

TDD only succeeds when the entire team is committed to it. It is advised not to implement the TDD if you have mixed ideas because doing so will lead to failure. For TDD to succeed, careful unit testing is necessary. 

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Conclusion

The scope of TDD benefits goes beyond the validation of correctness by step by step scaling. Organizations following the TDD approach can easily make changes to current applications without disturbing daily operations. Most organizations need to update the software to combat the challenges posed by continuous technology advancement and competitors, and, Agile TDD gives businesses all the freedom to address new requirements or unforeseen variables. Go for the best Agile certifications and master the Agile methodology.