{
  "id": 2318899,
  "title": "Its Never Late to Write Tests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/its-never-late-to-write-tests",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-21T05:59:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/westernal/its-never-late-to-write-tests-4o8c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Writing tests can often feel daunting, especially when it comes to critical sections of your code that you fear may have unintended consequences if modified. It can be overwhelming to consider testing every possible edge case manually. However, testing serves as a safety net, much like a trusted mentor who supports you and points out your mistakes before they become public. In this way, tests give you the confidence to make changes knowing there's a safety net in place.\n\nThe primary objective of testing is not to catch bugs immediately, as this may even slow you down. Instead, testing makes your code more adaptable to future changes. You won't have to worry about inadvertently breaking other parts of the system or overlooking an important edge case. The important thing to remember is that it's never too late to start writing tests. Begin with small steps, such as unit tests for your most vital functions, gradually expanding to include integration or end-to-end tests. You'll find that this approach will ultimately save you time in the long run.\n\nContrary to what you might think, writing tests isn't an inherently complex process. You don't need to possess years of experience to get started. Essentially, it involves describing the expected behavior of a function, running the code, and verifying the outcome against your expectations. It's a straightforward approach that can become time-consuming if you attempt to write numerous tests. This is where artificial intelligence can be a valuable ally. By leveraging AI tools, you can expedite the testing process without compromising the quality of your work. Treat these AI-powered assistants as supportive partners, not replacements for your efforts.\n\nWhen implementing AI-based testing, it's essential to maintain a critical eye. Review the generated tests to ensure accuracy and confirm that all potential edge cases are addressed. While AI tools can be incredibly helpful, they should never be used blindly. Always double-check the results and ask questions if you don't understand a particular test. By integrating testing practices into your team's culture and recognizing that it's never too late to start, you'll find that your codebase becomes more maintainable and less prone to errors down the line.",
  "summary": "Have you ever had a small issue on your most important part of the code and you’re just scared to change it because it may break some other part of it? Or it has too many edge cases to test manually. Tests Make You Confident In life, you have more confidence when you know someone has your back. Let me explain more with a familiar example: imagine a great tech lead of yours. They trust you, they…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}