diff --git a/src/content/daily-email/2023-07-01.md b/src/content/daily-email/2023-07-01.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..21323abb --- /dev/null +++ b/src/content/daily-email/2023-07-01.md @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +title: > + Once you start writing tests, you can't stop +pubDate: 2023-07-01 +permalink: > + archive/2023/07/01/once-you-start-writing-tests-you-cant-stop +tags: + - automated-testing + - test-driven-development +--- + +Once you start testing/TDD, you can't go back + +Once you start writing automated tests or doing test-driven development, you can't go back to not doing it. + +When adding a new feature, you'd need to test every situation and use case manually in a browser or command line - and, very likely, do so multiple times. + +When fixing a bug, you'd need to follow the exact steps to replicate it and see it before attempting a fix. Again, you'd also need to test it manually. + +Also, because it passes a manual test, there's no guarantee it won't break unexpectedly in the future. + +While refactoring code without tests, bugs and regressions could be introduced as there's no test suite to run and ensure they're still passing. + +## Here's the thing + +When you're used to writing tests and doing test-driven development, you get used to the quick feedback loops and the confidence to make changes. + +It's easier to create a test that proves a bug exists and shows it'safixed because the test passes. + +Once you have these things, you can't stop and go back to not having tests.