How to Design Tests? Test Practices
Understanding Testing as Specification
The Role of Tests in System Specification
- Tests are often used as a partial specification of the system due to the difficulty in rigorously defining what the system should do.
- Many specifications are superficial, making it more cost-effective to use tests to outline expected functionality before implementation.
Test-Driven Development (TDD)
- Writing acceptance tests prior to implementing functionality encourages deeper reflection on desired behavior and design.
- This approach involves creating scenarios that guide implementation, ensuring clarity on how the system should behave.
Importance of Interface Definition
- Having a clear interface is crucial for writing tests before implementation; it allows developers to understand expected methods and behaviors.
- Developers must have an architectural vision of code structure, including method signatures, even if implementations are not yet complete.
Collaboration and Assumptions
- Prior discussions with team members about code structure and interfaces are essential for effective test writing before actual coding begins.
- Understanding potential elements within HTML pages or other components is necessary for anticipating how links or functionalities will be implemented.
Debugging Strategies
Reflecting on Code Defects
- Effective debugging requires understanding underlying assumptions that may lead to defects; identifying these can clarify why errors occur.
- When encountering a defect, it's important to reflect on initial expectations versus actual outcomes to pinpoint discrepancies.
Tools for Debugging