Testing plays a vital part in the life cycle of software development and excluding it from the process is impossible! In order for an application to meet its goal, testing is a must. Test-driven Java development ensures the code is error-free and capable of optimal performance even in high load and traffic cases.
Java software development services that use this approach have much to offer their clients. First, let us explain what actually is test-driven development.
What is Test-Driven Development?
Test-driven development is a scenario in which your developer will first write an automated test case. After the test is written, the developer will turn their attention to writing a code that fulfills the test. If the code fails the test, the developer will refactor the code.
This approach to Java development makes sure the code as a whole is written in small sections at a time. Providing an opportunity for code to have relatively fewer errors and bugs that could comprise the application.
Steps for test-driven development include:
- Devise a test
- Write the code to meet the test parameters
- If the test fails, refactor the code to make it pass the test
- Run the test again, if the code fails refactor it again
Advantages of Test-Driven Development?
Test-driven development does have many advantages for investors looking to utilize this technology. It might sound like a long, time-wasting process. But at the end of the day, its advantages help you in more ways than one.
These are some of the advantages of adopting test-driven development:
- Test-driven development allows you to think your idea through. That is before you get down to actually writing the final code
- Overall it enables project development to occur in smaller steps rather than a whole. These small portions of code allow you to really spend more time and effort on the finer details
- This particular approach to Java development is more productive than most others. This is because it allows developers to approach a project in steps rather than as a whole project!
Let’s explain how these advantages appear in the practical world. Suppose a developer has written some code and when he compiles it, there will probably be some errors.
Finding and fixing these errors is easier if there are just a few lines of code. Imagine trying to find errors in hundreds of lines of code. You would literally be trying to ‘ find a needle in a haystack!’
So to summarize, test-driven development for Java has the following benefits for investors:
- Very few bugs to resolve
- High-quality code
- Allows the ability to focus on a single function at a time
- Easily allows developers to identify and solve errors
- Not much time goes to waste on refactoring and reworking code
Test-driven Development Tools
Test-Driven Development with Java will require tools to make the process that much easier for you and your developer. These tools assist and improve the design and implementation of the software system.
1. JUnit for Unit Testing
A unit is the smallest portion of code that can be logically isolated from a software system. These units can be a function, method, property, or subroutine. JUnit is a unit testing tool that applies to the Java programming language.
Every Java development company ought to use JUnit. It is also an important part of the unit testing frameworks collectively known as xUnit. This framework is crucial for making sure that code is error-free before it is implemented.
Advantages of JUnit for Unit Testing
Unit testing may require developing your project in small steps, but there are long-term advantages to this path. These are some advantages of using unit testing during coding.
Imagine if your developer only starts to run tests only after writing all the code. The process of finding errors and correcting them will take a long time!
Not to mention, your developer will not be in the state of mind he was in while writing the code. This would cause him to make more errors! The longer your developer spends correcting the code, the more time and money it will cost you.
- Increases Chances of Reusing Reliable Code
With the development of test-driven environments, the stability, and reliability of code increases. This is because each module (unit) is tested almost as soon as the code is written.
Reusing code is something developers should aim for as it offers consistency and efficiency to the code.
2. JMeter for Performance/Load Testing
The JMeter tool is an open-source application capable of measuring software performance and user behavior. JMeter is the go-to tool for testing Java web applications especially against heavy loads and concurrent multi-user traffic.
Advantages of JMeter for Performance/Load Testing
Testing the performance of your application before it goes live can avoid embarrassing situations! Imagine if you launch your application only to have it crash an hour later due to high traffic. This is why performance/load testing is essential.
The JMeter tool has a simple user interface that doesn’t take long to be familiar with. Even beginner developers with basic skills can find their way around the JMeter application with ease.
JMeter is a popular performance and load testing tool every Java application development services company uses. This is because the JMeter application can be installed on any operating system.
With JMeter, you can create a simulation-based test. That means you can artificially create a load of multiple threads accessing your application. Ultimately, this allows you to assess how well your application performs under traffic loads.
Conclusion
The advantages of test-driven development are obvious. For an investor, not opting for this approach is a mistake you’ll regret at the time of application compilation. Testing as you go will have its benefits for the code and for you.
Test-driven Java development saves the time of both you and your developer. It also saves your money on not having to extend your developer’s services for longer. If planning to hire a Java web application development company, make sure they use test-driven Java development.
