[makmanalp]

Why is the write test -> code -> run test -> code -> run test -> etc. circle being derided? Given that your test cases are stringent enough, it should be fine.

If you did indeed write good test cases, then that's a prime indicator that you understand the problem you're solving well. Try test first programming, it's trickier than it sounds at first. In my opinion, it is too easy to get caught up into coding something (especially with languages that have large amounts of boilerplate, such as Java) and lose perspective of what you're actually trying to do. Writing test cases beforehand forces you into thinking about what you're actually doing.