Note: This is a scheduled email series of our previous webinars that I've prepared for your summer break while I’m on vacation 🏝️ I’ll be back soon for our regular streams and coaching.
💬 Summary
We dig into:
The blurred lines between unit tests, refactoring, and rework
Why test deletion during rework is a design smell
What a good commit message really means when TDD is in play
🎯 TDD & Commit: Is unit testing harmful? What about Rework/Refactoring?
When developers say “unit testing is harmful,” they’re usually reacting to pain—not principles.
In this talk, we unpack where testing actually goes wrong: not because of TDD itself, but because of how teams use it in environments full of churn, unclear intent, and disconnected rework. I explore how refactoring differs from rework, why tests get deleted, and what TDD really earns you—not in theory, but at the moment you commit code.
🔍 Highlights from the Stream
⏱ 00:06:15 — Testing Isn’t Harmful, But Misplaced Testing Is
Unit tests can be a bottleneck if they don’t match the pace of design evolution.
⏱ 00:18:42 — Rework Is Not Refactoring
Just changing code isn’t refactoring. Without intention and improved structure, rework is just churn that often bypasses tests entirely.
⏱ 00:32:18 — Refactoring Is Feedback-Oriented Design
Real refactoring happens in small, controlled steps, guided by test feedback.
⏱ 00:47:50 — Why Tests Get Deleted During Rework
When developers rework code they don’t understand, they often delete the tests to avoid friction. This points to missing seams or poor test design.
⏱ 00:01:06 — What TDD Really Buys You at Commit Time
When you commit with TDD, you’re proving intent, understanding, and behavior. It’s executable documentation.
👉 Watch the full recording above.
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