Test Driven Development (TDD) and Behaviour Driven Development (BDD) are two popular software development approaches that have been gaining traction in recent years. While both approaches are used to ensure the quality of software, they have distinct differences that make them suitable for different types of projects. In this article, we will explore the differences between TDD and BDD and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
What is Test Driven Development (TDD)?
Test Driven Development (TDD) is an iterative software development process that focuses on writing tests before writing code. The process begins by writing a test for a specific feature or requirement that the software must fulfil. The test is then run to ensure that it fails, as the code to fulfil the requirement has not yet been written. The developer then writes the code to fulfil the requirement, and the test is run again to ensure that it passes. This process is repeated for each feature or requirement of the software.
The main advantage of TDD is that it helps to ensure that the code is written to fulfil the requirements of the software. By writing tests first, developers can be sure that the code they write will pass the tests and fulfil the requirements of the software. Additionally, TDD helps to reduce the amount of time spent debugging code, as any errors can be identified quickly and easily.
What is Behaviour Driven Development (BDD)?
Behaviour Driven Development (BDD) is a software development process that focuses on writing tests that describe the behaviour of the software.
BDD tests are written in a language called Gherkin, which is a domain-specific language designed to make tests easier to read and understand. Unlike TDD, BDD tests are written in a more natural language, which makes them easier to read and understand for non-technical stakeholders.
The main advantage of BDD is that it makes it easier for non-technical stakeholders to understand the tests and the behaviour of the software. Additionally, BDD tests are written in a more natural language, which makes them easier to read and understand for non-technical stakeholders.
TDD vs BDD: A Comparison
When comparing TDD and BDD, there are several key differences that should be taken into consideration.
The first difference is the way in which tests are written. TDD tests are written in a programming language, while BDD tests are written in a more natural language. This makes BDD tests easier to read and understand for non-technical stakeholders.
The second difference is the focus of the tests. TDD tests focus on the functionality of the software, while BDD tests focus on the behaviour of the software. This makes BDD tests more useful for ensuring that the software behaves as expected.
The third difference is the way in which tests are run. TDD tests are run automatically, while BDD tests are run manually. This makes BDD tests more suitable for projects where manual testing is necessary.
Advantages and Disadvantages of TDD and BDD
TDD and BDD both have their advantages and disadvantages.
The main advantage of TDD is that it helps to ensure that the code is written to fulfil the requirements of the software. Additionally, TDD helps to reduce the amount of time spent debugging code, as any errors can be identified quickly and easily.
The main disadvantage of TDD is that it can be difficult to read and understand for non-technical stakeholders. Additionally, TDD tests are written in a programming language, which can be difficult for non-technical stakeholders to understand.
The main advantage of BDD is that it makes it easier for non-technical stakeholders to understand the tests and the behaviour of the software. Additionally, BDD tests are written in a more natural language, which makes them easier to read and understand for non-technical stakeholders.
The main disadvantage of BDD is that it can be time-consuming to write tests in Gherkin. Additionally, BDD tests are run manually, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.
Conclusion
Test Driven Development (TDD) and Behaviour Driven Development (BDD) are two popular software development approaches that have distinct differences that make them suitable for different types of projects. TDD is better suited for projects where the focus is on ensuring that the code is written to fulfil the requirements of the software, while BDD is better suited for projects where the focus is on ensuring that the software behaves as expected. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to consider the specific needs of the project before deciding which approach is best.