Improving Testability Through Design from Pluralsight

This course tackles the issues of designing a complex application so that it can be covered with high quality tests.

A well designed application is not necessarily the one which has a perfect separation of layers, or the one which perfectly implements some predefined design patterns. It is certainly a plus to have these two goals met, but that is not sufficient to make the application really good. We can learn the most about one application by reading the source code of particular methods embedded deep inside of it. A common for loop often reveals more about the design than the whole diagram depicting responsibilities of an application layer in which it is located. The devil is in the details. The best of all intentions in design fails miserably when the low-profile design of small, seemingly unimportant classes is misconceived. In this course, the order of decisions is sorted bottom-up. It is the small class to which we pay attention the most. Only when all things are in place at the microscopic level can we discuss responsibilities of layers, isolation of modules and other high profile topics. The result is a well-built, easily testable and easily maintainable application.

What's inside

Syllabus

Assessing Reliability of Tests

Developing an Application the Old Way

Guidelines of Redesign for Reliability

Getting the Most Out of Immutable Objects

Improving the Unit Tests

Crossing Responsibility Boundaries

Managing Operations on Database and External Systems

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops unit tests, which are core skills for working with software

Focuses on unit testing, addressing the unique needs of testers

Provides insights for more efficient and faster testing

Requires some experience with unit testing

Emphasizes testing for reliability, which may not be relevant to all developers

May not provide sufficient coverage for all testing methodologies

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Improving Testability Through Design with these activities:

Read 'Designing Data-Intensive Applications'

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Expand your knowledge of data-intensive applications by reading this foundational book.

View Secret Colors on Amazon

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Read through the book, taking notes and highlighting important concepts
Complete the exercises and challenges at the end of each chapter

Organize course materials

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Help familiarize yourself with the course by organizing all important materials and resources.

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Gather all handouts, assignments, and quizzes
Set up a filing system or digital folder for course materials

Review the basics of design patterns

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Refresh your knowledge of design patterns to better understand the course content.

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Re-read any notes or articles on design patterns
Complete some online tutorials or exercises on design patterns

Three other activities

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Study TDD techniques

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Improve your understanding of test-driven development to enhance your testing skills.

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Find a tutorial or course on TDD
Follow along with the tutorial, completing all exercises and challenges

Mentor a junior developer

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Enhance your understanding of course concepts by mentoring a junior developer in software testing.

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Find a junior developer who is interested in learning about testing
Meet with the developer regularly to provide guidance and support
Review the developer's work and provide constructive feedback

Contribute to an open-source testing project

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Gain practical experience and demonstrate your skills by contributing to an open-source testing project.

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Find an open-source testing project that interests you
Identify an issue or feature that you can contribute to
Create a pull request with your changes

Career center

Learners who complete Improving Testability Through Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Test Engineer

As a Software Test Engineer, you will use your expert knowledge in designing tests that assess reliability. The course's goal to equip you with the know-how to design complex applications covered with high-quality tests will prove an invaluable skill in your arsenal as a Software Test Engineer. This course delves into the inner workings of applications, teaching you how to uncover design flaws that compromise reliability. By understanding how to improve unit tests and manage operations, you'll be able to create robust software that meets the highest quality standards.

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Software Architect

As a Software Architect, your role is to create blueprints for complex software systems. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will be pivotal in helping you execute this responsibility. You'll learn how to assess the reliability of tests, ensuring the systems you design are built on a solid foundation. By following the guidelines for reliable redesign, you'll be able to create applications that are easily testable and maintainable. This course will help you master the art of designing software that meets both functional and quality requirements.

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Software Developer

As a Software Developer, writing clean, testable code is essential. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with the tools and techniques to become a proficient Software Developer. You'll learn how to improve unit tests, manage operations on databases and external systems, and implement immutable objects to enhance the reliability and maintainability of your code. By mastering these concepts, you'll be able to create software that meets the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

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Quality Assurance Engineer

As a Quality Assurance Engineer, your job is to ensure the quality of software products. The course, Improving Testability Through Design, will equip you with the skills and knowledge to excel in this role. You'll learn how to identify and manage risks, improve test coverage, and effectively communicate quality issues to stakeholders. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of the principles and practices of software testing, enabling you to become a valuable asset to any software development team.

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Product Manager

As a Product Manager, understanding the technical aspects of software development is crucial to making informed decisions. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will give you a solid foundation in software testing and design. You'll learn how to assess the reliability of tests, identify and mitigate risks, and improve the overall quality of software products. By gaining this knowledge, you'll be able to create better products that meet the needs of your users and drive business success.

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Test Automation Engineer

As a Test Automation Engineer, your focus is on automating software testing processes to increase efficiency and accuracy. The course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with a strong foundation in software testing principles and practices. You'll learn how to design and develop automated tests, manage test data, and integrate testing into the software development lifecycle. This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to become a highly effective Test Automation Engineer.

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Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, your role is to create clear and concise documentation for software products. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with a deep understanding of software testing and design principles. You'll learn how to communicate technical information effectively, write user manuals, and create training materials. By taking this course, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to become a highly sought-after Technical Writer in the software industry.

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User Experience Designer

As a User Experience Designer, your goal is to create intuitive and user-friendly software applications. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with a solid foundation in software testing and design principles. You'll learn how to conduct user testing, analyze user feedback, and improve the overall usability of software products. This course will help you become a more effective User Experience Designer and create products that users love.

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Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, your work involves handling and analyzing large datasets to extract valuable insights. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with a strong foundation in software testing and design principles. You'll learn how to manage data, perform data analysis, and communicate your findings effectively. By taking this course, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to become a well-rounded Data Scientist who can make a significant impact in various industries.

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Project Manager

As a Project Manager, your role is to plan, execute, and deliver successful software projects. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with a solid understanding of software testing and design principles. You'll learn how to manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively. By taking this course, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to become an effective Project Manager who can lead software projects to success.

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Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, your work involves gathering and analyzing business requirements to create software solutions that meet the needs of stakeholders. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with a solid foundation in software testing and design principles. You'll learn how to elicit and document requirements, analyze data, and communicate your findings effectively. By taking this course, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to become a highly effective Business Analyst who can help organizations achieve their business goals.

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Software Engineer in Test

As a Software Engineer in Test, your focus is on designing and executing tests to ensure the quality of software products. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with a deep understanding of software testing principles and practices. You'll learn how to write test cases, perform test automation, and interpret test results. By taking this course, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to become a highly effective Software Engineer in Test.

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Database Administrator

As a Database Administrator, your role is to manage and maintain databases to ensure their availability, performance, and security. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with a solid foundation in software testing and design principles. You'll learn how to design and implement database systems, perform data backups and recovery, and monitor database performance. By taking this course, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to become a highly effective Database Administrator who can keep databases running smoothly and efficiently.

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Systems Analyst

As a Systems Analyst, your work involves studying and improving an organization's systems and processes. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, will provide you with a solid foundation in software testing and design principles. You'll learn how to analyze systems, identify inefficiencies, and design and implement solutions. By taking this course, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to become a highly effective Systems Analyst who can help organizations improve their operations and achieve their goals.

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Computer Scientist

As a Computer Scientist, your work involves researching and developing new computing technologies and applications. This course, Improving Testability Through Design, may be helpful to you, providing you with a deeper understanding of software testing and design principles. You'll learn how to apply scientific methods to solve computing problems and design and implement innovative software solutions. By taking this course, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to become a more well-rounded Computer Scientist and make significant contributions to the field of computing.

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