test-driven-development

Test-driven development is a test-first workflow that enforces a RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle to ensure code correctness. You write a failing test defining desired behavior, implement minimal code to pass, then refactor while keeping all tests green.

To start writing tests before implementation, write a failing test that defines the desired behavior for your new feature. Next, implement the minimum code required to pass that test, and finally refactor the code while ensuring all tests remain green.

Yes, you can use test-first development for bug fixes and refactoring across software projects. It provides clear exit criteria for completion by requiring tests to fail first and verifying all tests pass before claiming the task is complete.

The red-green-refactor cycle prevents regressions by requiring tests to fail first before implementation. This test-first discipline drives design decisions and helps teams detect and fix regressions early by maintaining green tests during refactoring.

Teams should adopt test-first discipline to reduce defects and improve alignment between requirements and implementation. Test-driven development provides living documentation of intended behavior while enforcing verifications before claiming task completion.

A limitation of enforcing a test-first development approach is the strict requirement that tests must fail first before any implementation. This RED-GREEN-REFACTOR workflow demands discipline to write minimal code and maintain green tests throughout refactoring.