Advantages and Disadvantages of Test Driven Development (TDD)

What is Test Driven Development (TDD)?

TDD stands for Test Driven Development. It is a process of developing the software. The process involved in the TDD (Test Driven Development) is to test the application development and iterative implementation of good software processes.

The first step of TDD is building and designing the test of each function of the application. When the automation test fails, the framework will write the new codes. TDD is based on the principle of correcting and developing the test before writing any type of code. We have to write a small code to pass the test. Therefore, it helps to reduce the writing of duplicate code. We also called TDD as a method that creates and execute the application before releasing the real application.

Advantages of TDD (Test Driven Development)

There are some advantages of using TDD (Test Driven development). These are as follows:

1. We have to write the code that is needed

It provides a feature of writing the only production code that passes all the test cases. If we need to add some new feature to our project, then we just have to like a test case that drives the new feature to the project. We have to write code that is as simple as possible. So we have to write that code which is really needed for implementing the new features.

2. More modular design

In TDD (Test Driven Development), we consider only one micro feature at a time. We have to write the test case first; after that, the code is automatically easier to check. It is the modular design for the application.

3. Easier to maintain

In TDD (Test Driven Development), all the parts of the code are decoupled from each other, so it is very easy to maintain the whole project. We have to exchange the implementation of micro features without affecting the whole project. We have to write the entire application and test the program again. When we are done with the project, then we have to test the program again.

4. Easier to refactor

Every feature is tested by the TDD (Test Driven development). We do not have to worry about the project; if all the test case passes successfully, then the code is correct. But the important thing is, as a developer, we have to upgrade our skills daily. After improving the skill, if we open the project after a long day, then we have some ideas to improve our project. But if our memory is not fresh, then it is very dangerous to make any changes to the project. With the help of the test suite, we can make any type of changes without the fear of breaking the application.

5. High test coverage

In TDD (Test Driven development), there is a test for each feature. It gives high confidence to the user because it has high test coverage.

6. Test document the code

The test code shows us in which way our code will be used. It also documents our code. The test code is a type of sample code that shows the user what to do and what not to do.

Disadvantages of TDD (Test Driven Development)

1. No silver bullet

Tests help to seek out bugs, but they cannot find bugs you simply introduce within the test and implementation code. If you haven't understood the matter, you would like to unravel it, and writing tests most likely doesn't help.

2. Slow process

If you begin TDD, you'll get the sensation that you simply need extended time for straightforward implementations. You would like to believe the interfaces, write the test code, and run the tests before you finally start writing the code.

3. All the members of a team got to do it

As TDD influences the planning of code, it's recommended that all team members use TDD or nobody the least. Additionally, to the present, it's sometimes difficult to justify TDD to the management because they often have the sensation that implementing the latest features takes longer if developers write code that will not find them within the product half the time. It helps if the entire team agrees on the importance of unit tests.

4. Tests got to be maintained when requirements change

Probably, the strongest argument against TDD is that the tests need to be maintained because the code has got to. Whenever requirements change, you would like to vary the code and tests. But you're working with TDD. This suggests that you simply got to change the tests first and then make the tests pass. So, this disadvantage is the same as before when writing code that takes an extended time takes a long time.