# The Hardest Part of Writing Tests is Getting Started

DevFeed: [The Hardest Part of Writing Tests is Getting Started](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/the-hardest-part-of-writing-tests-is-getting-started-1644.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://shopify.engineering/the-hardest-part-of-writing-tests-is-getting-started>)

Author: Jack Reichert

Published: 2023-02-02T15:30:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Shopify Engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/shopify-engineering.md>), [Shopify Engineering - Shopify Engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/shopify-engineering-shopify-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Test-driven development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/tdd.md>)

Tags: [bugs](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/bugs.md>), [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [documentation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/documentation.md>), [how-to](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/how-to.md>)

## AI overview

A beginner-oriented introduction to test-driven development that explains why tests serve as executable documentation, define edge cases, and help prevent regressions.

## Source excerpt

The hardest part of writing tests is setting things up. Full test suites have a lot of complicated helper tools, stubs, and fixtures. They're not easy to understand as a beginner, let alone set up for yourself. This post covers the four things you can do to get started.