What is the TDD framework? A detailed guide about Test-driven development

What is the TDD framework? In this blog, you’ll learn everything about the method of TDD (test-driven development) and its framework. Every developer aims to write quality code to see if each software functionality works as it should. This is why the testing process becomes essential to make it possible. Test-driven development offers a different approach to code testing. And several frameworks are available to help you do that. But, before knowing which TDD framework you should use, you must know what this method offers and some other key details.

What is TDD (Test Driven Development)?

TDD is a method in software development that aims to write the automated test before the application’s actual code. The tests later take charge of each code, even for small functionality in the application. With this iterative process, the tests determine the behavior of the actual code. This helps to improve the quality of production code.

How to write test cases for TDD?

There are 5 steps to perform the TDD method.

Step 1

Define the requirements

In the first step, you must understand the requirements to build a particular feature for software development. You also need to pay attention to any issues you want to solve.

Step 2

Write a test to fail

You write a test first to specify the quality and behavior of the production code. However, the test must fail since we don’t write any code which will complete the test requirements.

Step 3

Write the code to pass the test

In this step, we write enough code without adding unnecessary functionalities to pass the test. The code only needs to be perfect enough to pass the test cases.

Step 4

Refactoring code

Once we pass the test, our next step is to make improvements in the code. We can improve designs and remove duplication and complexity.

Step 5

Repeat the process

Then we repeat the process and add more tests for other functionalities of software development.

What are the 3 essential components of the TDD cycle?

There are three components in the Test-driven development cycle, each of which serves a purpose in completing the software development project. They are known as Red, Green, and Refactor, divided into three phases.

Write a small test

The first phase is called Red. It starts when you write the small failing test. This component lets you understand what you need to write the actual code to pass the test.

Make changes

The second phase is called Green. It starts when you write enough code and make changes to pass the test. Make sure that you write code clean and concisely.

Refactoring

This is the last phase, called refactoring. Here you make changes in the code to make it more efficient and simple, so it’ll be easier to read.

Which frameworks are needed for TDD?

Many frameworks are available which will allow you to implement the Test-driven development method. You can choose according to the particular need of the project you want to focus on. These TDD frameworks support you with a set of tools to write and run the tests manageably.

Frameworks	Programming languages
JUnit	Java
NUnit	C#
PHPUnit	PHP
TestNG	Java
Mockito	Java

Examples of TDD (Test-driven development)

Simple calculator function

During developing a simple calculator’s functions like add, subtract, multiply, and divide, you create a test case for each one by one. First, you’ll write the test case for the add feature and then the code for the add function to pass the test. Afterward, you repeat the process for other features in the same way.

Login functionality

Log in function is part of the user authentication system. To develop that, you first write a test case for the log-in function, and then you write enough code for the log-in functionality to pass the test. When it works perfectly, you perform the same process with other functions such as account verification, registration, and password.

Shopping cart

For the shopping cart, you write test cases like adding, removing, and calculating the total cost individually. You repeat writing the test case for each function to pass the test to start writing the production code.

What are the advantages of TDD?

Let’s learn about this approach’s advantages, making it unique from the traditional method.

Enhanced quality

Test-driven development ensures that the code behaves as a certain project’s requirements demand. The process makes sure to test and refine again and again to give higher-quality outcomes. Here, you keep in mind to write the necessary code to meet the requirements. Afterward, it helps you to determine what other changes you need to improve to implement every feature in the software.

Real-time feedback

The process shows real-time feedback on any changes in the code so the developers can fix the error before the final development. With the support of TDD, you get an error and bug-free code. This saves much time, which you might usually waste looking for that one creepy bug.

Better design

In Test-driven development, developers write compatible and separate code, which helps develop better software design. TDD becomes a reliable solution for developers to design better code that will be easy to understand.

Builds confidence

With TDD, developers can build their confidence in code changes. TDD also reduces the fear of breaking code and makes it easy to refactor and move with little risk to enhance its overall quality.

What are the limitations of TDD?

To perform TDD, you need to manage a different workflow and mindset. And even having all the useful benefits, there are some major challenges in TDD. Let’s learn about them one by one.

Time-consuming

The process consumes much time since developers have to write the tests before writing the actual code. It also slows the process if any specific requirements change, and developers must maintain the tests.

Lengthy process

The process is lengthier with larger codebases. It may become more complex and challenging with complicated systems. Since writing a test is something only some developers can do perfectly, other developers may find it hard to write a test after the unit test level.

Maintaining the tests along with new changes

If any changes occur in the codebase, updating the tests is necessary at the same time. On the other hand, you can only find bugs that you have introduced in the test. So, you need to ensure you’ve understood the problems and requirements well, and only then will you write the test. Otherwise, the tests can’t help you to find errors and bugs.

Difference between Test-driven development and Traditional Test: which one is better to choose?

Different approach

In the classic method, developers only focus on writing codes without having much worry about writing the test simultaneously. But, TDD focuses on comprehensive testing, writing the test before writing the code, which can slow the initial development stage.

Delivery time

Traditional testing is easier to learn and perform than TDD as many developers are familiar with the process, saving much time. In the TDD process, it’s the opposite, which makes the process lengthy and time-consuming.

Different aims

Test-driven development is an iterative process that focuses on testing each small functionality code with automated tests one by one. However, the traditional method tests all code once they are already written.

If a project needs to be done in a short period, TDD is not advisable. Test-driven development is a powerful tool, without a doubt, but it can’t replace traditional testing entirely. The traditional testing method is still a valuable and easier approach for most developers in the industry. Which one is better depends on the type of project, deadline, and requirements. You can choose any method according to those considerations.

Final Words

In a nutshell, the TDD method is an approach to writing the test to check the code thoroughly for each software feature. So, what is the TDD framework? Well, a TDD framework helps to execute the unique approach for testing the actual code for software development. Only in 5 steps it gives you a refined and error-free code. However, the method doesn’t fit well with all projects because of its time-consuming and lengthy process. To start working with this method, you must first decide how much time you have in your hand for your current project. You can use the TDD method if you have sufficient knowledge and time.

Do you have any other doubts? Reach out to us for a free consultation. Our team helps businesses in developing software to achieve their future goals in this vast industry.

FAQ

Is TDD a rapid cycle?

Yes, TDD is a rapid cycle, as performing the tests takes multiple repetitions per hour.

Who writes cases in TDD?

In TDD, developers write the test cases for the actual code.

What are the other names of TDD?

The other names of TDD are Test Fast Development and Test Driven Design.

Does TDD follow the test-first approach?

Yes, TDD follows the test-first approach. This makes sure that the automated tests become more reliable for the actual code to behave according to the requirements.