Professional Test-Driven Development with C#: Developing Real World Applications with TDD

SUMMARY

This chapter has examined many tools that help with the TDD process. When you explore new tools, we suggest that you come up with a simple example, replicate it using the various tools, and then come to your own conclusion.

NUnit has been around for years and has a large following, but this does not necessarily make it the best tool for the job. xUnit is the new testing framework on the scene and is radically different from NUnit in many ways. Tools that are radically different are the tools you should be trying, because they are the ones that may make your life easier. Thinking outside the box and trying new things will help in many ways.

You will evolve as a software developer throughout your career. You should be able to look back at code you wrote in the past and wonder, “What was I thinking?” This is how you get better at doing your job. Exploring new tools is just one way to improve yourself.

When it comes to choosing which tools to work with, select the ones you are most comfortable with. In some business situations open-source tools are not allowed. Many times these tools are not allowed out of a fear of open source for various reasons. Excuses such as licensing issues or “I can't call someone on the phone and get support” are common. Learn how to make a case for how these tools make you more productive. When it boils down to selecting a tool, no one has ever been fired for using Microsoft.