test-driven-development

The Red-Green-Refactor cycle enforces test-driven development by starting with a failing test, writing minimal code to make it pass, and then refactoring. This validates behavior incrementally and ensures reliable tests before production code is written.

To start a TDD workflow, write a failing test that defines the desired behavior. Then implement the minimal code required to satisfy that test, and finally refactor the code while keeping the test passing.

TDD improves software design and documentation by forcing developers to define explicit test cases and use clear test naming. This approach ensures requirements are clear and behavior is validated before minimal production code is written.

The Red-Green-Refactor cycle is a test-driven development workflow where you write a failing test, implement minimal code to pass it, and then refactor. This enforces incremental behavior validation and ensures reliable tests precede production code.

Use TDD for new features, bug fixes, and refactors where minimizing regression risk is critical. It enforces the failing-test-first discipline, clarifies requirements through explicit test cases, and improves overall software design.

Maintain test scope during refactoring by keeping tests focused on behavior rather than implementation details. The TDD workflow requires real tests to validate incremental changes, preventing scope creep and ensuring regressions are caught immediately.