Test-Driven Development (TDD) Mastery FAQs

Question 1

Why does this skill require watching a test fail first?

Accepted Answer

Watching a test fail confirms that the test is valid and correctly identifies the missing feature or bug. If a test passes immediately, it proves nothing about the code you are about to write.

Question 2

What is the 'Iron Law' of this TDD skill?

Accepted Answer

The Iron Law states that no production code should be written without a failing test first. If code is written before the test, it must be deleted and rewritten fresh from the tests.

Question 3

How does this skill handle refactoring?

Accepted Answer

Refactoring is the third stage of the cycle (Red-Green-Refactor). It allows for code cleanup and optimization only after a test is passing, using that test as a safety net.

Question 4

Are there any exceptions to the TDD rule?

Accepted Answer

Exceptions are rare and typically include throwaway prototypes, generated code, or configuration files, and usually require explicit permission from the human developer.

Question 5

Can I use this skill for fixing existing bugs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The protocol requires writing a failing test that reproduces the bug, then writing the minimal code to fix it, ensuring the bug never regresses.

Test-Driven Development (TDD) Mastery

Key Features

Use Cases

Test-Driven Development (TDD) Mastery

Key Features

Use Cases