Refactoring: Ruby Edition

Chapter 4. Building Tests

When Martin originally wrote Refactoring, tests were anything but mainstream. However, even back then he knew: If you want to refactor, the essential precondition is having solid tests. Even if you are fortunate enough to have a tool that can automate the refactorings, you still need tests.

Since the days of the original Refactoring book, creating self-testing code has become a much more common activity. And, while this book isn’t about testing, if you want to refactor, you must have tests.

The Value of Self-Testing Code

If you look at how most programmers who do not write self-testing code spend their time, you’ll find that writing code actually is quite a small fraction. Some time is spent figuring out what ought ...