test-driven-development

Test-driven development ensures bug-free refactoring by enforcing the Red-Green-Refactor cycle, which requires writing a failing test before implementing production code. This prevents regressions by verifying every code change against strict testing principles without relying on mock-testing.

Fix recurring bugs without regressions by first writing a failing test that reproduces the specific failure, then implementing the minimal production code fix to pass that test. This test-driven approach permanently resolves bugs while preventing future regressions.

Avoid mock-testing in test-driven development because it creates anti-patterns that obscure real production code behavior and reduce test reliability. Strict testing principles require verifying actual code execution paths rather than isolated mock-testing implementations to ensure genuine quality assurance.

Start feature development using test-driven development by writing a failing test case that defines the expected behavior before writing any production code. This ensures the new feature is verified by a failing test first, then implemented with minimal code to pass that test.

A limitation of strict test-driven development for refactoring is the required avoidance of test-only production methods and mock-testing. Adhering strictly to the Red-Green-Refactor cycle demands high discipline and comprehensive test coverage, which may slow down initial feature development speed.