Unit testing is a valuable type of automated testing that exercises small parts of an application in complete isolation.
Unit tests are essential for finding and fixing bugs early, acting as a safety net for developers, and contributing to higher code quality.
Unit tests also help detect code smells, contribute to better application architecture, and act as documentation.
Unit tests provide fast and precise feedback, unlike other types of testing like end-to-end testing, which offer more realistic feedback.
Unit tests should be fast, simple, readable, deterministic, and ideally part of the build process.
It's crucial to understand the difference between unit tests and integration tests, and to ensure testable code by avoiding enemies of testability.
Best practices for unit testing include ensuring tests are fast, simple, and do not duplicate implementation logic.
Tests should be readable, deterministic, part of the build process, and should use test doubles appropriately.
Adopting a sound naming convention for tests and avoiding coupling tests with implementation details are also crucial best practices.
Unit testing is essential in all programming languages, and following unit testing best practices can help avoid common pitfalls and make the process easier and more effective.
Unit testing, when done right by following best practices, can greatly improve app health and overall code quality.