test-driven-development

Test-driven development improves software quality by requiring failing tests to define expected behavior before implementation, reducing defects and enabling safer refactoring through iterative cycles.

The red-green-refactor cycle in unit testing is an iterative workflow where you write a failing test first, implement minimal production code to pass it, then refactor for maintainability.

To start writing tests before production code, define a specific behavior with a failing unit test, then implement only the minimal code required to make that test pass.

Yes, test-first workflows apply to integration testing scenarios, enforcing iterative cycles that verify component interactions and clarify requirements before writing the connecting production code.

Test-driven development may not suit exploratory software testing or throwaway prototypes where requirements are highly volatile and writing failing tests upfront adds unnecessary overhead.

Writing failing tests before implementation code clarifies exact requirements and ensures the test actually validates the desired behavior, catching regressions early and guiding design decisions.