BDD (Behavior-Driven Development) and TDD (Test-Driven Development) are two popular software development methodologies that are used to improve the quality of software products. Both methodologies are closely related to each other, but they have some fundamental differences.
TDD is a development process that emphasizes writing automated tests before writing the actual code. Developers first write tests to define the expected behavior of the system and then write code to make the tests pass. TDD helps to catch defects early in the development process and provides fast feedback to developers.
BDD, on the other hand, is a development process that focuses on defining the behavior of the system from the perspective of its stakeholders. It involves collaboration between developers, testers, and business analysts to define the requirements in a way that can be easily understood by everyone involved. BDD uses a common language to describe the system’s behavior and supports the creation of automated acceptance tests that can be used to verify that the system is meeting the stakeholders’ needs.
The main differences between BDD and TDD are as follows:
- Focus: TDD is focused on the development process, while BDD is focused on the behavior of the system.
- Language: TDD uses technical language to define the tests, while BDD uses a common language that is easily understood by both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Scope: TDD focuses on unit testing, while BDD supports testing at multiple levels, including acceptance testing.
- Collaboration: BDD involves collaboration between developers, testers, and business analysts to define the requirements, while TDD is primarily a developer-centric process.
In summary, TDD is a process that focuses on testing code, while BDD is a process that focuses on testing the system’s behavior from the perspective of its stakeholders. Both methodologies can help to improve the quality of software products, but they have different strengths and are best suited for different situations.