Test-Driven Development of Graphical User Interfaces: A Pilot Evaluation

Abstract

This paper presents a technique for test-driven development of GUI based applications, as well as a pilot evaluation. In our approach, user interface prototypes are created in such a way as to allow capture/replay tools to record interactions with them. These recordings can then be replayed on the actual GUI as it is being developed in a test-driven fashion. The pilot evaluation found that developers integrated GUI tests, based on user interface prototypes,into their development process and used them as a way to determine when a feature is actually complete.Study participants felt that TDD of GUI based applications is useful.