Category Archives: Java

Enhancing Development with Software Design Patterns

“Design patterns represent common software design problems and well-tested solutions to those problems.” This is a line from my class’s first exercise introducing us to design patterns. In it we learned that in order to have scalable code, certain types of solutions, design patterns, are used. They are the culmination of previous developers’ struggle adding functionality to already existing code.

When we learned about design patterns in class and the homework, we handled singleton, strategy, simple factory design patterns. This GeeksforGeeks article adds onto the classwork by first separating their list into Creational, Structural, and Behavioral types. Creational patterns address when objects are made by separating how the object is formed from how it is implemented. Included in this type are the Factory and Singleton patterns we had already seen as well as new patterns called the Prototype, Builder, and Abstract Factory patterns. Under the Structural category are methods that handle class/object composition, so they utilize inheritance and help to structure efficient interfaces or implementations. Here they included the Adapter, Bridge, Composite, Decorator, Facade, Proxy, and Flyweight patterns all brand new to me. Finally came the Behavioral patterns that at first brush sounded like it was primarily focused on solely on the responsibility of objects and classes but actual include how these objects and classes communicate with each other. In this section returned the strategy design pattern along with Observer, State, Command, Chain of Responsibility, Template, Interpreter, Visitor, Mediator, and Memento patterns. At the end of this article is an FAQ section where they explain things such as how you can compare algorithmic solutions to design patterns in terms of computational solutions and structural solutions.

I chose this article because it showed me an entire new category of design patterns that tackle interface creation, something that I personally find to be a weak point in my understanding of OOP design. I actually clicked into the Bridge design pattern because it allows for abstraction and implementation to be developed separately. So when you have multiple subclasses of subclasses, their example used ProduceBus and AssemblyBus under the Bus class under the Vehicle class, you have an issue any time you wish to modify the middle level (Bus) class. The Bridge pattern says to separate the Produce and Assembly bus implementations into their own subclass of an interpreter called Workshop that works on objects of the Vehicle class. This way changing the Bus class doesn’t directly change how the Produce and Assembly portions work, which thus saves time.

I have thus bookmarked this page so that until I can pull these patterns from memory I can make use of these numerous proven solutions. It is an amazing resource since it has links to more in depth explanations of each design pattern so that readers can truly grasp just how these tricks work in practice.

Link:
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-design-patterns/

From the blog CS@Worcester – Coder's First Steps by amoulton2 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Understanding SOLID Principles: A Guide

As a student learning software design, I’ve heard about the SOLID principles in class, but I wanted to dive deeper to understand how to actually use them. I came across a blog post called “SOLID Principles — The Definitive Guide” by Midhun Vincent on Medium, which breaks down each of the five principles in a way that makes sense for someone new to object-oriented design. The guide was really helpful and lined up well with what we’re covering in my course, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to see how these principles could improve my coding now and in the future.

The article explains the SOLID principles, which are five important guidelines for creating object-oriented software that’s easier to understand, maintain, and extend. The first principle, the Single Responsibility Principle (SRP), says that each class should do only one thing, making it easier to maintain and modify. The Open/Closed Principle (OCP) suggests that classes should be open for extension but closed for modification, meaning you can add features without changing the original code. The Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP) ensures that subclasses can replace their parent class without breaking the system. The Interface Segregation Principle (ISP) advises creating small, specific interfaces rather than large, general ones. Finally, the Dependency Inversion Principle (DIP) suggests that high-level modules should depend on abstractions, not low-level modules, which makes the code more flexible. These principles help make code cleaner, more modular, and easier to adapt over time.

I picked this article because, while the SOLID principles are useful, they can seem pretty abstract at first. The post explains them in a way that feels practical, with examples that make it easier to apply the principles to real-world coding problems. Plus, the examples connected well with the projects I’ve worked on in my course, especially when it comes to organizing code and making it easier to debug. Seeing how these principles prevent code from becoming too messy gave me a new way of thinking about my own assignments.

My Takeaways and Reflection

Before reading this post, I knew the basic ideas behind SOLID, but I wasn’t sure how to apply them in my own code. Now, I get why each principle is important and how they can save time by reducing debugging and refactoring. For example, the Single Responsibility Principle made me realize that I often give classes too many responsibilities, which complicates fixing bugs. By applying SRP, I can keep things simpler and reduce errors.

Looking ahead, I plan to use these principles in my projects, especially the Open/Closed Principle and Interface Segregation Principle. I can see how they’ll help me write code that’s easier to update and adapt. Understanding SOLID will definitely give me a strong foundation as I take on more complex projects in the future.

Resource:

View at Medium.com

View at Medium.com

From the blog Computer Science From a Basketball Fan by Brandon Njuguna and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Understanding SOLID Principles: A Guide 

As a student learning software design, I’ve come across the SOLID principles in a few lectures, but I wanted a deeper dive to really understand how to apply them. I recently read a blog post titled “SOLID Principles — The Definitive Guide” by Midhun Vincent on Medium. This guide breaks down each of the five SOLID principles in a straightforward way, with examples and explanations that actually make sense for someone still new to object-oriented design. The article is totally in line with what we’re covering in my course, so I figured it was a great chance to see how these principles could improve my coding style now and in the future.

Summary of the Selected Resource

The article explains the SOLID principles, which are five key guidelines for designing object-oriented software that is easier to understand, extend, and maintain. The first principle, the Single Responsibility Principle (SRP), emphasizes that each class should focus on a single task, making the code simpler to maintain and update. Next is the Open/Closed Principle (OCP), which suggests that classes should be open for extension but closed for modification, allowing developers to add new features without altering the original code structure. The Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP)follows, which ensures that objects of a superclass can be replaced with objects of subclasses without causing issues in the application. Then there’s the Interface Segregation Principle (ISP), which advises against creating large, general-purpose interfaces and instead encourages smaller, more specific ones that suit the exact needs of different clients. Finally, the Dependency Inversion Principle (DIP) recommends that high-level modules should not rely on low-level modules but rather on abstractions, which reduces dependency and enhances flexibility. Together, these principles form a strong foundation for writing clean, modular code that can handle future changes more gracefully.

Why I Chose This Resource

I chose this post because the SOLID principles are really useful in building better code but can feel abstract at first. The article breaks down each principle in a way that makes them feel practical and achievable. Also, the examples in the post connect well with coding challenges we’ve faced in our course projects, especially in terms of keeping code organized and easy to debug. Seeing how SOLID principles can prevent code from becoming a tangled mess gave me a new perspective on how I approach my own assignments.

My Takeaways and Reflection

Before reading this post, I understood the theory behind the SOLID principles but not really how to implement them in my own code. Now, I can see why each principle matters and how they can actually save time by reducing the need for debugging and refactoring down the line. The Single Responsibility Principle, for example, made me think about how I often give one class way too many jobs, which then makes fixing issues complicated. By applying SRP, I can keep my classes simpler and less error-prone.

Moving forward, I’m planning to use these principles as I work on my projects, especially with the Open/Closed Principle and the Interface Segregation Principle. I can see how they’ll help me write code that’s easier to adapt if requirements change or if I add new features later. In the future, I think understanding SOLID will give me a solid foundation (pun intended!) as I move into more complex software development work.

Link to the Resource

https://medium.com/android-news/solid-principles-the-definitive-guide-75e30a284dea

View at Medium.com
View at Medium.com

From the blog Computer Science From a Basketball Fan by Brandon Njuguna and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Week 18B – C Testing

For this week, I wanted to look at how different languages handle test cases, and I’ll continue with one I’m not the most familiar with, C! I’ve worked in small amount of C in classes at Worcester State, but have little experience outside of that. I feel like this is a good topic to discuss as knowing how other programming languages handle unit testing would be a great way to expand my knowledge when it comes to furthering my understanding of it within Java.

If you haven’t already read my other blog post on Python testing, feel free to read it right here!

Week 18A – Python Testing

For learning about unit testing in C, I consulted this article on the subject: https://interrupt.memfault.com/blog/unit-testing-basics

It seems like unit testing in C is a lot more barebones compared to Java, which in my experience utilizing C, makes sense for the language. A lot of features primarily used in Java, like object-oriented structures aren’t available in C (to my understanding, could totally be wrong).

For one major aspect, there seems to be only one assertion command in C, just simply “assert”. Theres no assertTrue, assertFalse, assertThrows, or assertEquals, just simply “assert”. And from the example given below: 

#include <assert.h>

// In my_sum.c
int my_sum(int a, int b) {
  return a + b;
}

// In test_my_sum.c
int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
  assert(2 == my_sum(1, 1));
  assert(-2 == my_sum(-1, -1));
  assert(0 == my_sum(0, 0));
  // ...
  return(0);
}

It seems the “assert” function comes from the <assert.h> library, much like the JUnit librarys used in Java. But more importantly, it seems that “assert” is the equivalent of “assertEquals”.

It also seems like Unit Testing in C is best implemented with tools outside of a compiler for C. The ones mentioned in the article in specific were CppUTest, Unity, and Google Test. For the rest of the article, the use examples using CppUTest. It was interesting to hear one of the options being called Unity, which is the name of a game engine, which, while not written in C, is written in a mixture of C# and C++, which are both offshoots of C. Makes me wonder how testing in a gaming engine works, perhaps it’s something to look at in a future blog post, hint hint, wink wink.

CppUTest seems to implement the same SetUp() and Teardown() functions that JUnit can employ, which is really good, as these methods are important for testing multiple methods. It also seems to have more then just an Equals assertion, even though the example used is another equals example.

This gets me more interested in C, as I have been told understanding C allows you to understand other languages much more clearly. Perhaps I’ll take a deeper dive some day, who knows! Until next time, my readers~!

From the blog CS@Worcester – You&#039;re Telling Me A Shrimp Wrote This Code?! by tempurashrimple and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Behavior Driven Development

Behavior Driven Development ( BDD ) is a test practice that makes sure there is good quality by automating test before or during system behavior specification. BDD test focuses on facing scenarios that describe the behavior of a story, feature, or capability from a user’s perspective. When the tests are automated they make sure that the system constantly meets the required behavior.

The Behavior Driven Development Process

The BDD process has three phases to it. The discovery phase, formulation phase, and the automation phase.

1.) Discover phase: This phase is where the user creates the initial acceptance agenda for the feature. This phase is usually done in a collaborative manor, each team member is contributing.

2.) Formulation phase: This phase is where the acceptance agenda sets into detailed acceptance tests, as the backlog item gets closer to implementation. This phase also incorporates specific examples of the behavior.

3.) Automation phase: This phase is where automation tests are automated to run constantly. This is to make sure that the new system supports the new behavior.

Benefits of Behavior Driven Development

1.) Early detection of errors / defects: When you automate tests in the early stages of development process, you can identify and address the issues. BDD allows for the early detection of defects.

2.) Faster Flow and Time: when using BDD, you can reduce the errors, rework, and replan. BDD accelerates the flow of the development process. Developers can produce features / products faster and more efficiently.

3.) Stronger Test Coverage: BDD allows for a more comprehensive test coverage that focuses on the user behavior and scenarios. Both common and edge cases are tested as well.

4.) Clear understanding: BDD can be plain and clear to understand, because specific scenarios are used to describe the behavior from a user’s point of view. This helps the development to fully understand the requirements and whats going on.

Why I chose this resource

I chose this article ” Behavior Driven Development” because it provided a detail look of a very important test method that goes in conjunction with the technical and business aspect of testing. Understanding BDD is important in today’s society of software development, for giving an efficient and more user friendly user products.

Personal Reflection

This article increased my understanding of BDD and the use of it in software development. I learned a lot about how BDD strengthens collaboration and communication between the business side of things and the technical side of things. This helps to ensure that user’s expectations and requirements are met. The new found knowledge will be extremely valuable in my future endeavors because I will incorporate this method in my future projects. This will help to improve the development process and product efficiency and quality. Also, by using BDD I can make sure that all requirements and specifications are met.

The full article is here: https://scaledagileframework.com/behavior-driven-development/

From the blog CS@Worcester – In&#039;s and Out&#039;s of Software Testing by Jaylon Brodie and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Static Testing vs. Dynamic Testing

Testing in software development is important because it helps to deliver efficient and user friendly products to the end user. It also provides the developers with a chance to improve upon the product. Static and Dynamic testing are two important techniques used in software development.

Static Testing

Static Testing has various names like Verification Testing, Non-execution Testing, etc. This testing technique is used to identify defects in software without actually executing the code. This method usually includes manual and automated evaluation of the software and the code. Developers use this method usually in the beginning stages of the development process to catch issues early on, which will also lead to be easier and cheap to fix. This method focuses on reviewing the test cases, test scripts, test plans, and source code.

Static Testing Techniques

1.) Informal Reviews: Developers review each of the documents and give feedback

2.) Walkthroughs: Someone presents the product to the team and someone else takes notes.

3.) Technical Reviews / Code Reviews: review the technical specifications and the source code to make sure everything meets the requirements and standards.

4.) Inspection: Check for defects. Developers usually review the process with a checklist to help identify and record for defects.

Dynamic Testing

Dynamic Testing is a technique that analyzes the dynamic behavior of the code by actually executing it. This method makes sure to check that the software functions correctly and that there are no underlying issues / conditions. Sometimes developers use this method in conjunction with black box or white box testing to provide more realistic results.

Dynamic Testing Techniques

1.) White Box Testing: Examines the internal code structure. You need to actually have the internal code (source code)

2.) Black Box Testing: Checks the functionality without the actual internal code (source code) .

Benefits of both Static Testing and Dynamic Testing

1.) Early detection of defects

2.) Cost efficient

3.) Showcases runtime errors

4.) Reliability

Why I picked this Resource

I chose the article “Static Testing vs. Dynamic Testing” because this article gave me a more detailed and in depth look between two very important testing methods that are currently being used in todays society. It is very important to understand these two testing methods in the software development process because they can deliver efficient and user friendly products to the end user. This article also aligns with what we have learned in the course, making it relevant to talk about and to understand.

Personal Reflection

This article deepened my understanding of static and dynamic testing. I was able to learn a lot about these two testing methods that I did not know, even the many benefits that each method has. Knowing how crucial these two methods are in the software development process and what I know now, this knowledge will help me on my future endeavors when approaching new projects in regards to testing .

The full article is here: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-static-and-dynamic-testing/

From the blog CS@Worcester – In&#039;s and Out&#039;s of Software Testing by Jaylon Brodie and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Test Doubles

Test doubles are a very important tool in software testing. Test doubles allow for users to break off a portion of their code to test specific parts and functions. This helps because users can do this without depending on the other factors within their code. Test doubles are substitutes, they copy the behavior of real objects. This helps to make sure that the tests remain structured and efficient.

Overview of Test Doubles

For this blog post, I chose the Article “Test Doubles: Mocks, Stubs, and Fakes Explained” by Martin Fowler. The article talks a lot about the overview of the different types of test doubles, their roles, and how they can be used in testing.

Types of Test Doubles

1.) Dummy: A dummy object is required for the creation of another object required in the code. Dummy objects will never be used in the test, they are simply like place holders to satisfy the code and its requirements.

2.) Fake: A fake is an object that will always have the same return value. This object is useful for testing certain scenarios, like a user that is logged in or in a consistent database response. They are simple implementations that are not that suitable for production but are good for testing.

3.) Stub: A stub will provided predetermined responses to method calls. Stubs usually imitate the behavior of external components like databases or web services.

4.) Spy: A spy will record information about the interactions with the object being under tests. This helps verify interactions and make sure there is the correct behavior in method calls.

5.) Mock: A mock can be a more advanced test double that will allow for dynamic behavior based on the test scenario. They verify interactions and can change behavior based on conditions. They are useful for ensuring that certain methods are called with specific parameters during the test.

Benefits of Using a Test Double

1.) Early detection of errors/issues: Using Test Doubles will help the users to find any issues within the code. This helps with reducing the risk of defects in production

2.) Cost Efficiency: Using Test Doubles will significantly help to reduce the costs that will come with fixing the issues later in the development process.

Why I Picked this Resource

I chose this resource for the blog post because it provided an in depth overview of the various types of test doubles and their specific role within testing. This article’s contents had some similarities of what we discussed in the class, making it relevant and valuable.

Personal Reflection

This article not only increased my understanding on the topic of Test Doubles, but it also showed my how unique and important each one can be in regards to testing. I also learned the various benefits of these test doubles, so when I choose one in my future endeavors I will know which one will benefit me the most.

In my future endeavors, I plan on using what I have learned about these Test Doubles objects by implementing them on future projects. This new found knowledge will help me to make better decisions in the future and will also improve the quality of my work.

The full Article is here: https://ahmadgsufi.medium.com/test-doubles-understanding-the-different-types-and-their-role-in-testing-67cbf71ea252

From the blog CS@Worcester – In&#039;s and Out&#039;s of Software Testing by Jaylon Brodie and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Mastering Automates Testing with Selenium and Java

In the ever evolving world of software development, automated testing has become indispensable. Using tools like Selenium combined with Java, developers can automate their web application testing, improving efficiency and accuracy. This blog post delves into the key takeaways from a helpful Sauce Labs article (https://saucelabs.com/resources/blog/writing-tests-using-selenium-and-java) that outlines how to write testes using Selenium and Java, exploring its relevance to our coursework on software testing methodologies

Summary of the Resource:

The Sauce labs article provides a comprehensive guide on writing automates tests using Selenium, a popular tool for web application testing, and Java, one of the most used programming languages. It covers the basics of setting up Selenium with Java, crafting test scripts, running tests, and interpreting the results. The article emphasizes the importance of Selenium for its ability to simulate user interactions with web elements, which is crucial for verifying the functional integrity and performance of web applications. It also touches on integrating these tests into a CI/CD pipeline, demonstrating how automated testing fits into broader software development practices.

Reason for selection:

I selected this article because it offered a practical introduction to an essential skill in software development. As our course covers various testing frameworks and tools, understanding how to implement and utilize these tools in real-world scenarios is crucial. The articles focus on Selenium with Java is particularly relevant, as many of us are familiar with Java and may soon need to apply these skills in internships or jobs.

Personal Reflection.

The article made me appreciate the power and necessity of automates testing in modern web development. It was enlightening to see how Selenium scripts could mimic actual behavior, such as clicking buttons or entering data, which is critical for testing user interfaces. Reflecting on this, I see the immense value in learning automates testing not only to boost my future job prospects but also to ensure that I can contribute to creating robust, user-friendly software.

Application in future practice:

Armed with the knowledge from this article, I am eager to apply these testing techniques in my upcoming projects. Whether it’s for class assignments or eventually in a professional setting, understanding how to set up, write, and deploy automates tests using Selenium and java will significantly enhance the quality of the software I develop and maintain.

Conclusion:

Automated testing is a key component of software quality assurance. The insights provided by the Sauce Labs article on using Selenium and Java for testing offer both foundational knowledge and practical steps for anyone looking to enhance their testing skills. As software becomes increasingly more complex, the ability to efficiently test and validate software functionality becomes even more critical, making these skills invaluable for any aspiring software developer.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Josies Notes by josielrivas and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Week 12 – Comparing Tips

For this week, I wanted to look at what some websites consider helpful tips when it comes to testing software in Java and compare that to what we have learned in class. By looking at each tip one by one and comparing it to the things Professor Wurst has taught us during our lectures.

For this, I will be looking at this website: https://www.code-intelligence.com/blog/11-tips-unit-testing-java

Tip Number 1 is to “Compose Tests before Writing Code”, which is actually what we have been focusing upon for the last few weeks, so it’s good to see that this is being reaffirmed

Number 2: Keep tests small and concentrated. This is another subject that we’ve been looking at as well, as we’ve been looking at strategies on how to concatenate code for test.

Number 3: Defining your Code Coverage. This isn’t actually something I believe we’ve spoken about in this class, however, we have discussed similar things in my previous classes with Process Management.

Number 4: Isolating Tests from External Sources. This one Im not sure if we have discussed it, but it also seems like a given, considering we have been taught to always only use tests in test classes and to pull from testing packages when importing.

Number 5: Automate wherever possible. I don’t actually think we’ve done this yet in Testing, however, this is something we have discussed previously in another class, I believe in Software Design. If you can automate something, always try to.

Number 6: Creating Mock Dependencies. This isn’t something in specific we’ve touched upon yet I feel, however it makes sense. I feel as though when I did our first homework, I kind of did something similar to this.

Number 7: Use Assertions. Yes. Absolutely we have done this in class. All if not most classes we have written use assert.equals(), assert.true(), or assert.false(), amongst others.

Number 8: Using proper names to test methods. This is something we learned way back in CS101. Always name your methods something understandable for you and your team to instantly know what it does. Never write gobbledygook names for methods, be concise.

Number 9: Keep Unit Tests Up to Date. I don’t believe this has been taught yet as most code we have worked with has been static and unchanging. However, Im sure we will have assignments where we focus on this harder. It definitely seems like something that is extremely important, as code changes so too should the tests, or else they wont work properly or even give false positives.

Number 10: Don’t Focus on Implementation. This one is interesting to me. We haven’t really spoken about implementation of code when it comes to testing. It’s very interesting to me because I have never really thought about this before, but it definitely makes a lot of sense to me. Something good to keep in mind for the future.

And lastly number 11: Create independent test cases. I actually unfortunately learned this myself the hard way with the first homework, as each class was accidentally dependent of one another if ran back to back. It’s something I definitely need to keep in mind going forwards.

And thats it! It’s definitely a lot of overlap which is great to see. Until next week!

From the blog CS@Worcester – You&#039;re Telling Me A Shrimp Wrote This Code?! by tempurashrimple and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Week 10 Blog Post

Searching for an article this week I looked for something relating to mocking. Considering last week I did the negatives on mocking I think it’s valuable to have various perspectives. Seeing multiple ideas with mocking can give us an idea of how to implement them in the future. The writer of this article is a reliable source being a Java script developer. Getting information from someone in the industry can give a perspective inside the workforce and how people inside see different ideas. Not everyone may agree with using the same coding language but seeing how developers see different concepts can give an idea of the drawbacks to stuff and where in our own experiences can we improve. Overall this article is a great way to see how mocking is seen inside the workforce by an experienced professional.   

In this article, Eric Elliot focuses on the drawbacks of excessive mocking. He points out how brittle tests and how they can be easily broken. There broken simply just from the change of implementation even though the behavior stays the same. Another point is a false sense of security because of there lack of accuracy that occurs from not using accurate real behavior. This is a fault in the test because the test will pass even if it isn’t supposed to. Third, he focuses on complexity overload which is just adding too much complexity can make the code harder to understand and maintain. Elliot still believes in mocking but a more balanced approach can overall help the program. Mocking should be used sparingly and when there actual weight for its use. All together Elliott wants the audience to create a strategy that will have confidence in their code correctness while also minimizing any negatives of excessive mocking. 

Reading this article at first I thought it would be more of a pro mocking but it’s more in between. It says its flaws while still sharing the positives. After reading this article I understand that mocking can cut time but it can bring flaws to testing. The best time to utilize mocking is when time is scarce and later it can updated with time. It still isn’t the ultimate be-all to testing but with a balance, it will work. Understanding these flaws can foresee issues that may come up when mocking. Mocking should never bring up complexities that can complicate the code and should always have a priority in simple to understand and easy maintenance.

View at Medium.com
https://medium.com/javascript-scene/mocking-is-a-code-smell-944a70c90a6a

From the blog CS@Worcester – DCO by dcastillo360 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.