Growing Object-Oriented Software Guided by Tests

Praise for the Book

The authors of this book have lead a revolution in the craft of programming by controlling the environment in which software grows. Their Petri dish is the mock object, and their microscope is the unit test. This book can show you how these tools introduce a repeatability to your work that would be the envy of any scientist. — Ward Cunningham

At last a book, suffused with code, that exposes the deep symbiosis between TDD and OOD. The authors, pioneers in test-driven development, have packed it with principles, practices, heuristics, and (best of all) anecdotes drawn from their decades of professional experience. Every software craftsman will want to pore over the chapters of worked examples and study the advanced testing and design principles. This one’s a keeper. — Robert C. Martin

Design is often discussed in depth, but without empiricism. Testing is often promoted, but within the narrow definition of quality that relates only to the presence or absence of defects. Both of these perspectives are valuable, but each on its own offers little more than the sound of one hand clapping. Steve and Nat bring the two hands together in what deserves—and can best be described as—applause. With clarity, reason, and humour, their tour de force reveals a view of design, testing, code, objects, practice, and process that is compelling, practical, and overflowing with insight. — Kevlin Henney, co-author of Pattern-Oriented Software Architecture and 97 Things Every Programmer Should Know

Steve and Nat have written a wonderful book that shares their software craftsmanship with the rest of the world. This is a book that should be studied rather than read and those who invest sufficient time and energy into this effort will be rewarded with superior development skills. — David Vydra, publisher, testdriven.com

This book presents a unique vision of test-driven development. It describes the mature form of an alternative strain of TDD that sprang up in London in the early 2000s, characterized by a totally end-to-end approach and a deep emphasis on the messaging aspect of objects. If you want to be an expert in the state of the art in TDD, you need to understand the ideas in this book. — Michael Feathers

With this book you’ll learn the rhythms, nuances in thinking, and effective programming practices for growing tested, well-designed object-oriented applications from the masters. — Rebecca Wirfs-Brock