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POCan unit testing be successfully added into an existing production project? If so, how and is it worth it?
 

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    <p>I'm strongly considering adding unit testing to an existing project that is in production. It was started 18 months ago before I could really see any benefit of TDD <strong><em>(face palm)</em></strong>, so now it's a rather large solution with a number of projects and I haven't the foggiest idea where to start in adding unit tests. What's making me consider this is that occasionally an old bug seems to resurface, or a bug is checked in as fixed without <em>really</em> being fixed. Unit testing would reduce or prevents these issues occuring.</p> <p>By reading <em><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1046816/adding-unit-testing-to-an-existing-asp-net-web-forms-application">similar</a></em> questions on SO, I've seen recommendations such as starting at the bug tracker and writing a test case for each bug to prevent regression. However, I'm concerned that I'll end up missing the big picture and end up missing fundamental tests that would have been included if I'd used TDD from the get go.</p> <p>Are there any process/steps that should be adhered to in order to ensure that an existing solutions is <strong>properly</strong> unit tested and not just bodged in? How can I ensure that the tests are of a good quality and aren't just a case <em>of any test is better than no tests</em>.</p> <p>So I guess what I'm also asking is;</p> <ul> <li>Is it worth the effort for an existing solution that's in production?</li> <li>Would it better to ignore the testing for this project and add it in a possible future re-write?</li> <li>What will be more benefical; spending a few weeks adding tests or a few weeks adding functionality?</li> </ul> <p>(Obviously the answer to the third point is entirely dependant on whether you're speaking to management or a developer)</p> <hr> <h2><strong>Reason for Bounty</strong></h2> <p>Adding a bounty to try and attract a broader range of answers that not only confirm my existing suspicion that it is a good thing to do, but also some good reasons against. </p> <p>I'm aiming to write this question up later with pros and cons to try and show management that it's worth spending the man hours on moving the future development of the product to TDD. I want to approach this challenge and develop my reasoning without my own biased point of view.</p>
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    1. COObligatory link to Michael Feathers' book on the topic: http://www.amazon.com/Working-Effectively-Legacy-Michael-Feathers/dp/0131177052
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    2. CO@Mark - Thanks, it's in the link I provided. I was hoping to get a decent answer without buying another book... although you can never have too many books (unless you want to get work done that is).
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    3. COYou really need to read this book :) It is one of my favorites and really helps to understand the tension between refactoring and automated-testing.
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