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I've seen code bases where a lot of the tests are actually testing the underlying framework's code (i.e. dotnet framework) after they mocked out all the dependent services. In my mind unit tests are a waste of time except for testing really complex algorithms where the there are no side effects. Automated end to end QA testing is where the effort should be spent.

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Unit tests are mostly for hitting branching logic within your prodedure/method/function (and private ones in your codebase that it calls but can't be tested independently, e.g. they're private), and so are naturally paired with code coverage. If your percent coverage is high and someone changes the implementation, a drop in coverage and/or failure of one or more unit tests can signal that some assumptions about the behavior may need additional consideration.

End-to-end testing is important too, but it may be difficult to ferret out tricky bugs if unit tests and coverage for your modules (or whatever your lang/kit calls them) don't tell their own story about what code is being exercised and how.

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