Go Testing Patterns
Comprehensive Go testing patterns for writing reliable, maintainable tests following TDD methodology.
When to Activate
- Writing new Go functions or methods
- Adding test coverage to existing code
- Creating benchmarks for performance-critical code
- Implementing fuzz tests for input validation
- Following TDD workflow in Go projects
TDD Workflow for Go
The RED-GREEN-REFACTOR Cycle
RED → Write a failing test first
GREEN → Write minimal code to pass the test
REFACTOR → Improve code while keeping tests green
REPEAT → Continue with next requirement
Step-by-Step TDD in Go
// Step 1: Define the interface/signature
// calculator.go
package calculator
func Add(a, b int) int {
panic("not implemented") // Placeholder
}
// Step 2: Write failing test (RED)
// calculator_test.go
package calculator
import "testing"
func TestAdd(t *testing.T) {
got := Add(2, 3)
want := 5
if got != want {
t.Errorf("Add(2, 3) = %d; want %d", got, want)
}
}
// Step 3: Run test - verify FAIL
// $ go test
// --- FAIL: TestAdd (0.00s)
// panic: not implemented
// Step 4: Implement minimal code (GREEN)
func Add(a, b int) …
