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A Practical Introduction to Test-Driven Development

Doug Purcell

To be a proficient developer you need to have a solid grasp of test writing before putting code into production. In this course, we will take a hands-on look at Test-Driven Development by writing and implementing tests as soon as week one. TDD starts with good unit tests, so we will start there. Topics will also cover translating user specs into unit tests, applying the Red-Green-Refactor mantra, and applying mocks in python with the unittest.mock module. Once finished, you will have covered all the steps of TDD before development

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What's inside

Syllabus

Automated Unit Testing Basics

Test-Driven Development starts with testing, and good TDD starts with good unit tests.

Unit Testing best practices

In this module we will discover the best practices for writing unit tests.

Writing Tests for TDD

In this module, we'll be translating user specs into unit tests, including all the steps of TDD before development.

The Red-Green-Refactor cycle in practice

In this module we'll discover a hands on approach to applying the Red-Green-Refactor mantra of unit testing.

The power of mocks

In this module we'll learn how to use mocks in python with the unittest.mock module.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops a strong foundation in TDD, which is standard in software development

Examines automated unit testing and its applications, which are highly relevant to software testing

Taught by Doug Purcell, who is recognized in the field for their work in software testing

Offers hands-on labs for practical application of TDD techniques

Exclusively covers Python, which may limit its appeal to learners who utilize other programming languages

Focuses primarily on unit testing, which may not be sufficient for learners seeking a more comprehensive understanding of TDD

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Reviews summary

Mixed tdd course

Learners say that this course on Test-Driven Development (TDD) has a higher success rate in later weeks than their first course. Most learners seem to recommend later weeks and the course as a whole, but find earlier lessons and quizes clumsy and uninspired, especially Week 3

Later weeks of the course are better in quality

"Still a bit dull and boring but much better then the first one in this specialization. I do recommend this one. "

"Great course by very well thought, add more examples in week 3, there are many items I only understand by looking at the documentation YOU provides!"

Labs could be made better for practice

"There is very few material and the labs could be organized way better."

Week 3 may need major improvement for a better learning experience

"Week 3 is clumsy and not well explained."

"unittest.mock part in week 3 doesn't provide any knowledge and to finish last quiz you have to read (and understand) a lot of documentation by yourself."

"In addition, tests go beyond the course material itself and ask details from documentation of specific python libraries."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for A Practical Introduction to Test-Driven Development. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete A Practical Introduction to Test-Driven Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Test Engineer

A Software Test Engineer creates and executes test cases to evaluate the functionality and performance of software applications. They develop test plans, write test scripts, and analyze test results to identify and report defects. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Test-Driven Development, which will be invaluable for Software Test Engineers who want to improve the quality and reliability of their testing efforts.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops and maintains computer systems and applications. They analyze user needs, develop and test software solutions, and ensure the software meets quality and performance standards. This course's focus on Test-Driven Development will help build a foundation for writing automated unit tests, ensuring the software meets user specifications and performs as expected.

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QA Analyst

A QA Analyst plans and executes quality assurance tests to ensure that software and applications meet user requirements and standards. They develop test cases, write test scripts, and analyze test results to identify and report defects. This course's focus on Test-Driven Development will help QA Analysts write more effective test cases and improve the overall quality of their testing processes.

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Developer

A Developer designs, develops and maintains computer systems and applications. They analyze user needs, develop and test software solutions, and ensure the software meets quality and performance standards. This course's practical approach to Test-Driven Development will help Developers write more reliable and maintainable code, and improve the overall quality of their software products.

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Test Lead

A Test Lead manages and coordinates software testing activities within a project or organization. They develop and implement test plans, lead testing teams, and report on test results. This course's emphasis on Test-Driven Development will help Test Leads improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their testing teams, and ensure that the software meets user specifications and quality standards.

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Software Architect

A Software Architect designs and develops the overall architecture of software systems and applications. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, design and implement software solutions, and ensure the software meets quality and performance standards. This course's focus on Test-Driven Development will help Software Architects design and develop more reliable and maintainable software systems.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager manages the development and launch of software products. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, define product vision, and ensure the product meets user needs and market expectations. This course's practical approach to Test-Driven Development will help Product Managers improve the quality and reliability of their software products, and ensure that they meet the needs of their users.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst gathers and analyzes business requirements to develop software solutions that meet the needs of an organization. They work with stakeholders to identify and document requirements, and ensure that the software meets the organization's business objectives. This course's focus on Test-Driven Development will help Business Analysts write more effective requirements, and ensure that the software meets the needs of the organization.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and controls software development projects. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, define project scope, and ensure the project is completed on time and within budget. This course's practical approach to Test-Driven Development will help Project Managers improve the quality and reliability of their software projects, and ensure that they meet the needs of their stakeholders.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist collects, analyzes, and interprets data to extract insights and develop data-driven solutions. They work with stakeholders to identify and solve business problems, and ensure that the data-driven solutions are effective and meet the needs of the organization. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who want to improve the quality and reliability of their data-driven solutions, and ensure that they meet the needs of their stakeholders.

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Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer designs and develops machine learning models to solve business problems. They work with stakeholders to identify and solve business problems, and ensure that the machine learning models are effective and meet the needs of the organization. This course may be useful for Machine Learning Engineers who want to improve the quality and reliability of their machine learning models, and ensure that they meet the needs of their stakeholders.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to extract insights and develop data-driven solutions. They work with stakeholders to identify and solve business problems, and ensure that the data-driven solutions are effective and meet the needs of the organization. This course may be useful for Data Analysts who want to improve the quality and reliability of their data-driven solutions, and ensure that they meet the needs of their stakeholders.

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Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, develops and maintains computer systems and applications. They analyze user needs, develop and test software solutions, and ensure the software meets quality and performance standards. This course may be useful for Software Developers who want to improve the quality and reliability of their software products, and ensure that they meet the needs of their users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst gathers and analyzes business requirements to develop software solutions that meet the needs of an organization. They work with stakeholders to identify and document requirements, and ensure that the software meets the organization's business objectives. This course may be useful for Systems Analysts who want to improve the quality and reliability of their software solutions, and ensure that they meet the needs of the organization.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator designs, develops and maintains database systems. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, design and implement database solutions, and ensure the database meets quality and performance standards. This course may be useful for Database Administrators who want to improve the quality and reliability of their database systems, and ensure that they meet the needs of their users.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in A Practical Introduction to Test-Driven Development.

Growing Object-oriented Software, Guided by Tests