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Test-First Programming – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
A software development approach in which test cases are defined and often automated before the software is developed to run those test cases.
In simple words
Write the test before the code — the umbrella idea behind TDD, ATDD and BDD.
Exam tip
Test-first is a superset; TDD is one specific test-first practice.
Related terms
- Test-Driven DevelopmentRed-green-refactor: write a failing test, make it pass with the simplest code, then clean up.
- Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD)The team agrees on acceptance tests up front and only writes code that makes those tests pass.
- Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)BDD writes tests as plain-English scenarios so business, devs and QA agree on what the feature should do before code is written.
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