Automated Testing Best Practices

I think the most important rule is to keep tests fast. A slow test suite discourages frequent runs and reduces the feedback loop. Aim for sub‑second execution per test where possible.

Also, make sure each test checks a single behavior. This makes failures easier to diagnose and keeps the suite maintainable.

Don’t forget to clean up any external resources (files, DB entries) in a teardown step. Leaking resources can cause flaky tests.