X2J is a powerful XML binding framework that enables developers to perform validation, serialization, and deserialization of XML data without the need for XSDs.
Recently, I made significant changes to the way X2J operates. I started to use molds and visitors instead of the traditional "everything-in-one-method" approach, which proved to work great. However, this was a scary move since X2J could potentially stop working. Although I could roll back the code, I would still need this change. I started writing tests manually to ensure that the results were as expected, but I knew that this method wasn't sustainable.
As I face another code refactoring task today, I understand that I need more stability in the code. I need to have red lights that indicate when I do something that can potentially break a different aspect of the application. This is where JUnits come in. If you haven't been using them, you should start now. They can help identify code inconsistencies and errors, which can be critical when developing a reliable and stable framework.
Therefore, I am starting to create JUnits, beginning this week. Only then can I tend to my refactoring tasks confidently, knowing that my code remains stable and that I can easily identify and resolve any potential issues. Overall, X2J is a powerful framework that offers excellent functionality. However, the importance of unit testing cannot be overstated, which is why JUnits play such an integral part in its development.
Version Beta1: N/A