Which of the following is NOT an advantage of Test Driven Development?

Test Driven Development (TDD) is a development methodology that emphasizes writing tests before writing the corresponding code. This approach offers several advantages, enhancing the software development lifecycle. Among the options presented, the assertion that TDD promotes a bottom-up approach is not accurate in describing its advantages.

In TDD, the development typically follows a top-down approach where high-level tests are written first, leading to the implementation of the necessary code that satisfies those tests. The focus is on verifying functionality incrementally and driving development based on testing criteria rather than starting with lower-level components.

On the other hand, the other options reflect genuine advantages of TDD. For instance, it does indeed speed up the overall development process as it encourages focusing on the requirements and functionality upfront, potentially reducing rework. TDD also leads to earlier detection of defects by ensuring that tests are run continuously throughout development, making issues easier to identify before they escalate. Furthermore, TDD naturally encourages the automation of tests, as writing automated tests is a core aspect of the process, facilitating consistent and repeatable validation of code.

Understanding these core principles of TDD helps illustrate why promoting a bottom-up approach does not fit as an advantage in this context.