TDD, red-green-refactor

Given a test list, the actionable steps are described by what has become the red-green-refactor mantra. Where red and green respectively refer to a failing (red) and succeeding (green) test, this mantra tells you to take the following steps:

1. Take a test from the list and write the test code
2. Compile the test code yielding red as the application code that is not yet there
3. Implement just enough application code to make the test code compile
4. Run the test seeing it probably fail, still red
5. Adjust the application code just enough to make it pass, that is, green

6. Refactor your code, either test or application code or both, one after the other, and rerun the test after each change to prove all code is still well (green)
7. Move to the next test on the list and repeat from Step 1

The red-green-refactor mantra urges you to get things done step by step and as efficiently...