test-driven-development

The test-driven development cycle is a Red-Green-Refactor loop: write a failing unit test, implement minimal code to pass it, then refactor safely to improve design and prevent regressions.

To start writing code with TDD for new feature development, write a unit test describing the desired behavior first, then implement the minimal code required to pass that test before refactoring.

TDD prevents software regressions during refactoring by mandating unit test creation before implementation, ensuring existing functionality is continuously validated and bugs are caught early.

Yes, you can use TDD for bug fixes and refactoring existing code by writing a test that reproduces the bug or validates current behavior, then modifying the code to pass the test.

Test-driven development works without specific framework dependencies by enforcing the Red-Green-Refactor methodology conceptually, guiding unit test creation and implementation across all software development tasks.

You should avoid test-driven development for exploratory prototyping where code design is highly volatile, as the strict Red-Green-Refactor cycle requires writing unit tests before implementation, limiting rapid iteration.