Understanding why we need tests
Testing is not just an optional best practice; it’s a critical part of building reliable and maintainable software. Without tests, you’re essentially navigating the complex seas of software development without a compass. Let’s understand the multiple benefits that testing brings:
- Ensuring code correctness: Tests serve as a seal of validation that your code performs exactly the way it’s supposed to. A well-written test verifies that your functions return the expected output for a given input, your components render correctly, and your application behaves as anticipated.
- Preventing regression: As applications grow and evolve, new code can sometimes unintentionally break existing functionality. This is known as a regression. Automated tests act as a safety net, catching these regressions before they reach production.
- Facilitating refactoring and maintenance: Fear often surrounds the process of refactoring or updating...