What is unit testing and why is it important?

What is unit testing and why is it important?

Unit testing is a software testing method where individual components are tested in isolation. It's important because it helps catch bugs early, ensures code quality, and simplifies integration.

How do I write a unit test?

To write a unit test, you typically use a testing framework like JUnit for Java or pytest for Python. You define a test function that checks a specific behavior of your code, using assertions to verify the expected outcomes.

Can you give me an example of a unit test?

Sure! Here's a simple example in Python using pytest:

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

def test_add():
    assert add(2, 3) == 5
    assert add(-1, 1) == 0

This tests the add function with different inputs.

What are some common mistakes in unit testing?

Common mistakes include not testing edge cases, writing tests that are too complex, and not running tests frequently enough. It's also important to ensure tests are independent of each other.