test-driven-development

The Red-Green-Refactor cycle is a test-driven development workflow requiring a failing test first, writing production code to pass it, and then refactoring. It enforces high-quality, regression-proof code by prohibiting implementation without a preceding test.

Enforce test-driven development by applying a strict Red-Green-Refactor cycle to define expected outputs and edge cases via a failing test before writing any production code, ensuring robust and regression-proof feature implementation.

Strict test-driven development works for bug fixes and refactoring within the software lifecycle. It requires defining a failing test that captures the bug or desired refactoring outcome before altering production code, mitigating technical debt.

The best way to avoid common unit testing anti-patterns is using a strict test-driven development methodology that provides a comprehensive guide to identifying and avoiding testing pitfalls like mocking behavior instead of verifying real logic.

Writing production code before tests increases technical debt because it bypasses the test-driven development cycle, producing unreliable code that lacks regression verification and is vulnerable to edge cases during feature development.