Testing ensures code functions correctly from "summary" of Python Programming by John M. Zelle
When you write a program, you are essentially telling the computer what to do in a language it can understand. However, just because you tell the computer what to do doesn't mean it will always do it correctly. Computers are very literal and will do exactly what you tell them to do, even if it is not what you intended. This is why testing is so important in programming. Testing involves running your code with various inputs to make sure it produces the expected outputs. By testing your code, you can catch mistakes and errors before they cause bigger problems down the line. Without testing, you risk releasing a program that doesn't work correctly, which can lead to frustrated users and potential damage to your reputation as a programmer. Testing is not just about making sure your code works when everything goes right. It's also about making sure your code handles unexpected situations gracefully. For example, what happens if a user enters a negative number when your program expects a positive one? Or what if a file your program is supposed to read from is missing? Testing can help you identify these edge cases and ensure your program doesn't crash or produce incorrect results when they occur. In addition to catching bugs and handling edge cases, testing can also help you write better code. When you write tests for your code, you are forced to think about how it should behave in different situations. This can help you clarify your thinking and improve the overall design of your program. Writing tests can also help you document your code and make it easier for others to understand and modify in the future.- Testing is a critical part of the programming process. It ensures that your code functions correctly, handles unexpected situations gracefully, and is well-designed and maintainable. By taking the time to test your code thoroughly, you can save yourself a lot of headaches and produce higher quality programs.
