James Bender
Yes, You Need to Unit Test your JavaScript. Here's How.
#1about 7 minutes
Why developers avoid unit testing JavaScript
Common excuses for not unit testing are addressed by framing tests as a long-term investment that prevents project slowdowns.
#2about 5 minutes
Understanding the Test-Driven Development workflow
TDD inverts the traditional development process by using specifications to write automated tests before writing the implementation code.
#3about 7 minutes
The core characteristics of a good unit test
Effective unit tests are isolated from dependencies, targeted to a single scenario, and repeatable regardless of external factors.
#4about 5 minutes
Applying the red-green-refactor TDD cycle
The core TDD loop involves writing a failing test (red), writing minimal code to pass it (green), and then improving the code's design (refactor).
#5about 2 minutes
Choosing a JavaScript testing framework: Jest vs Jasmine
Jest is recommended over Jasmine primarily for its performance benefits, as it runs tests in a multi-threaded environment.
#6about 8 minutes
Writing your first basic unit test with Jest
A live coding demonstration introduces the basic Jest syntax, including the `test`, `expect`, and `toBe` functions for a simple sum operation.
#7about 14 minutes
Live coding a Tic-Tac-Toe game using TDD
This demonstration builds a simple game engine by following the red-green-refactor cycle and using BDD-style tests with `describe` and `it`.
#8about 2 minutes
Practical next steps for adopting unit testing
Actionable advice for teams includes starting with new features, practicing daily, sharing knowledge, and measuring code coverage.
#9about 9 minutes
Audience Q&A on testing strategies
Questions from the audience are answered, covering topics like integration testing in React, handling front-end tests, and involving product teams.
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Matching moments
01:57 MIN
Why developers often view unit testing as a chore
Test-reduction - Doing more with less
03:55 MIN
Writing unit tests for specific accessibility concerns
Accessibility Test Driven Development
01:52 MIN
Summary of key trends in modern JavaScript testing
The 2025 State of JavaScript Testing
02:56 MIN
Identifying the most common pain points in JavaScript testing
The 2025 State of JavaScript Testing
13:29 MIN
Recap and practical advice for testing applications
Test Driven Development with JavaScript
10:23 MIN
Reframing common complaints about JavaScript development
How to Stop Choosing JavaScript Frameworks and Start Living
16:37 MIN
Q&A on developer tooling and testing best practices
Data Mining Accessibility
00:50 MIN
Final thoughts on unit testing as a developer's tool
How Unit Testing Saved My Career
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