TDD with LiveView: Simpler Than You Imagine! - Gustavo Oliveira - Elixir Meetup #6

It's insightful session on Test-Driven Development (TDD) with LiveView. Gustavo shared practical techniques for using TDD to build reliable and efficient applications in Elixir, demonstrating how TDD can be simpler than you might imagine.

About Gustavo Oliveira

Gustavo Oliveira is the owner of the YouTube channels ELXPRO BR and ELX PRO, focused on teaching Elixir from basic to advanced levels. He mentors and trains programmers through his ELXPRO program, aiming to develop specialized professionals for the Elixir market.

The Importance of TDD

Why TDD Matters

Gustavo began by highlighting the importance of TDD in maintaining code quality and ensuring reliable applications. TDD helps developers catch errors early, reduce bugs, and create a robust codebase.

Key Benefits:

• Early Error Detection: Catch errors early in the development process.
• Reduced Bugs: Minimize bugs and improve code reliability.
• Robust Codebase: Build a strong and maintainable codebase.

Setting Up TDD with LiveView

Initial Setup

Gustavo demonstrated the initial setup for TDD with LiveView. He created a new Phoenix application and set up the necessary dependencies for running tests. He emphasized the use of mix phx.new for creating a Phoenix application with LiveView support.

Steps:

1. Create Phoenix App: Use mix phx.new to create a new Phoenix application.
2. Install Dependencies: Run mix deps.get to install necessary dependencies.

Writing Your First Test

Creating Test Files

Gustavo walked through the process of creating test files for LiveView components. He stressed the importance of starting with tests before writing any code, following the TDD approach.

Steps:

1. Create Test File: Create a test file in the test directory.
2. Define Test Module: Define the test module and necessary imports.

Implementing TDD in LiveView

Developing with TDD

Gustavo shared practical examples of implementing TDD in LiveView. He demonstrated how to write tests for various LiveView components, handle events, and update state, all without opening the browser.

Key Techniques:

• Event Handling: Write tests to handle user events like clicks.
• State Management: Ensure the state updates correctly based on events.
• Automated Testing: Use automated tests to verify functionality.

Advanced TDD Techniques

Using Test Watchers

Gustavo introduced the use of test watchers to automate test execution. He explained how tools like mix test.watch can monitor file changes and automatically run tests, improving efficiency.

Benefits:

• Automated Testing: Automatically run tests on file changes.
• Improved Efficiency: Save time by avoiding manual test execution.

Real-World Applications

Building a Counter with TDD

Gustavo provided a real-world example by building a simple counter application using TDD. He showed how to define tests for the counter's increment and decrement functionality, ensuring the application behaves as expected.

Example Highlights:

• Define Tests: Write tests for increment and decrement functionality.
• Implement Code: Implement the code to pass the tests.
• Verify Functionality: Ensure the counter updates correctly.

Benefits of TDD with LiveView

Enhanced Development Workflow

Gustavo emphasized the benefits of using TDD with LiveView, including a more structured development workflow, improved code quality, and faster development cycles.

Key Benefits:

• Structured Workflow: Follow a disciplined approach to development.
• Improved Quality: Ensure high code quality with thorough testing.
• Faster Development: Speed up development with automated tests.

Conclusion

Gustavo Oliveira's presentation at Elixir Meetup #6 provided valuable insights into using TDD with LiveView. By following the TDD approach, developers can build reliable and efficient applications in Elixir, ensuring high code quality and robust functionality.

Join the Community

Ready to enhance your Elixir projects with TDD? Register for the next Elixir Meetup at Curiosum Meetups: Registration Join our community of Elixir enthusiasts at Elixir LinkedIn Group Prefer watching the presentation? Here’s the video