test-driven-development

Test-driven development improves code quality by guiding implementation with tests written before production code, increasing confidence and reducing undetected bugs. It clarifies requirements and ensures every feature or bugfix is covered by automated tests.

The red-green-refactor cycle in TDD involves writing a failing test, confirming it fails, implementing minimal code to pass, and refactoring for readability. This disciplined workflow ensures fast feedback and documented design intent.

To start writing tests before implementation, write a failing test for the desired behavior, then implement the simplest production code to make it pass. Apply this across feature work, bug fixes, and refactors to verify behavior.

Yes, you can use TDD for bug fixes and refactoring existing behavior. It drives design and verifies behavior changes by writing failing tests first, ensuring minimal production code and safer future modifications.

Test-driven development may not suit exploratory prototyping where requirements are highly volatile. It requires a disciplined workflow of writing failing tests first and minimal production code, which can slow initial experimentation.

Test-driven development works without external dependencies by focusing on the core red-green-refactor workflow. It enforces writing failing tests first and minimal code, relying on automated tests for fast feedback rather than specific frameworks.