What is the primary goal of test first development?

The primary goal of test-first development is indeed about designing tests before the actual implementation of the code that needs to be tested. This approach is often associated with practices like Test-Driven Development (TDD), where the development process is driven by the creation of tests that define how the code should behave. By creating tests first, developers establish clear expectations for the functionality, leading to a more focused development process and reducing the likelihood of defects in the final product. This practice encourages developers to think critically about the requirements and edge cases of their code, ultimately resulting in better-designed software that meets the specified requirements.

While satisfying user requirements, creating documentation, and conducting reviews are all important aspects of software development, the essence of test-first development specifically emphasizes the importance of defining tests beforehand to guide the development effort.