Testing with TxtToHTML Project
Tags: javascript, jest, programming, cli
Published: 2023-11-14 21:01:30

As developers, we are aware of how crucial testing is to promising the stability and dependability of our code. I'll discuss my experience incorporating testing into the TxtToHTML project, a tool that creates HTML from text and markdown files, in this blog post. I'll go over the testing framework, the tools selected, how it was set up, what I learned, and how testing affected the project.

## Testing Framework and Tools
I choose the popular Jest testing framework for JavaScript/Node.js projects for the TxtToHTML project. Jest is well-known for its speed, ease of use, and integrated features like mocking and snapshot testing. Within the JavaScript community, it is widely used and offers a user-friendly testing environment.

**Jest:**
[Jest](https://jestjs.io/) is an interesting framework for testing JavaScript applications, emphasizing ease of use. It is created by Facebook and is intended to be simple to use and set up. JavaScript apps, such as our Node.js project, are especially well suited for testing with Jest.

**Why Jest:**

- **Ease of Use:**
 Jest's straightforward setup and minimal configuration make it easy for developers to get started with testing.
- **Fast Execution:** Jest runs tests in parallel, providing quick feedback on the codebase's health.
- **Built-in Features:** Jest comes with built-in functionalities like mocking, snapshot testing, and code coverage, reducing the need for additional tools.

## Setting Up Jest in TxtToHTML
Setting up Jest in the TxtToHTML project was a seamless process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help other developers set up Jest in their projects:
1. **Install Jest:**
```
npm install --save-dev jest
```
2. **Update Package.json:**
Add the following script to your `package.json` file to run Jest:
```
"scripts": {
  "test": "jest"
}
```
3. **Create Jest Configuration:**
Jest can be configured through a `jest.config.js` file. Here's a basic configuration:
```
// jest.config.js
module.exports = {
  testEnvironment: 'node',
};
```
4. **Update .eslintrc.js file:**
Add the following env to the `.eslintrc.js` file:
```
env: {
   jest: true,
},
```
5. **Write Tests:**
Create a test directory in the root of your repository and add the test files. You can have a look at my [test](https://github.com/bhavik001/TxtToHTML/tree/main/test) directory.
6. **Run Tests:**
Execute the following command to run tests:

```
npm test
```

## Writing Test Cases:
While writing test cases for TxtToHTML, several insights emerged:
### Insights:
- **Comprehensive Coverage:** Writing tests forced me to consider various code paths, ensuring comprehensive coverage. I had to think about "good" and "bad" values, different input scenarios, and potential edge cases.

- **Function Behavior:** Tests helped clarify the expected behavior of functions. Defining test cases for specific inputs and understanding the anticipated outcomes enhanced my understanding of each function's purpose.

## Lessons Learned and Future Testing
This testing journey with TxtToHTML was a valuable learning experience. Here are some key takeaways:

- **Importance of Testing:** Testing aims to increase trust in the codebase in addition to identifying bugs. Extensive testing serves as a safeguard, enabling code modifications without the concern of impairing current functionality.


- **Jest as a User-Friendly Framework:** For JavaScript projects, Jest is a great option because of its powerful features and ease of use, like built-in mocking and snapshot testing.

- **Test-Driven Development (TDD):** While not strictly adhering to TDD, writing tests before or alongside the implementation proved effective in catching issues early and guiding the development process.