Paul geek

Code coverage tools help identify whether the code has unit tests. By implementing unit testing strategies, we can determine which lines of code have been tested. For example, if we create a method and write a test case, we might not know if the test fully covers the method. These tools help us understand what has been tested and what still needs coverage. This is their primary focus. 

There are strategies like pair programming and code reviews. Most teams, or almost all of them, have a technical lead (TL) or technical supervisor. However, due to administrative responsibilities, these practices can be hard to maintain over time during product development. 

With properly configured tools and blocking filters, developers can ensure their code is validated with unit tests. Additionally, we can set a minimum coverage threshold for new features to be considered complete and ready to move to the next stages. 

In addition to writing production code, developers need to allocate time for writing test code. 

Depending on the feature being developed and the tool used to create tests, writing those tests can be as complex or even more complex than writing the production code itself. 

There are many testing tools for the same programming language, as well as many tools to measure coverage. This means that learning a tool in one company doesn’t guarantee you’ll use it in another, as they might use a different one. 

These tools do not analyze programming best practices; they only indicate which methods are covered by tests. 

They do not guarantee that your code will perform optimally in production. 

They enforce the writing of unit tests. 

Since it’s a mandatory task, the team cannot rush development timelines. 

They help avoid simple programming errors. 

While it may seem like the cons outweigh the pros, it’s important to note that these tools are very useful in large companies where supervising all developers is challenging. At the very least, they ensure the code is covered with tests and that the test cases for both new features and existing functionality are accounted for. 

They are a necessary evil. However, if your organization isn’t using these tools yet, you should know that your developers will need time to write tests. Additionally, they may face significant challenges in covering certain test cases. 

 

Below, I’ll share the most common tools for measuring and ensuring code coverage. 

I’m sharing the links so you can check them out. Depending on the programming language you use, you might prefer one tool over another.

If you’re already using one, let me know in the comments.

Thank you for reading, see you next time!