A Guide to Automated Testing Best

Practices

 

 

Automated testing is an essential tool for increasing the speed and accuracy of developing and deploying software. This article covers a range of best practices to consider when automating tests, including how to use automation to increase security, identify and address issues quickly, and improve reliability.

 

 

 

Use a version control system

Version control systems such as Git or SVN are a must-have when working with automated tests. Version control systems allow multiple developers to work on the same project without overwriting each other’s contributions. It also helps identify and fix errors quickly, reducing the time needed for debugging and increasing the reliability of your tests. Working with version control systems also allows you to track changes made to the tests over time, giving you greater insight into which actions have had an effect on the test results.

Automate builds and deployments

Automating builds and deployments is a key part of any automated testing process. Automated builds are especially useful when it comes to quickly packaging an application and its dependencies in such a way that it can be tested with minimal effort. This makes the entire testing process much faster and more efficient, reducing the costs associated with manual test automation. Automated deployments serve a similar purpose by allowing you to quickly deploy the application under test for remote testing. This reduces the time needed for manual setup, allowing developers to focus on writing more tests instead of setting them up.

Analyze code coverage

Code coverage analysis is an important part of any automated testing process. This analysis can provide insights into which parts of an application have been tested, allowing developers to optimize their tests for better test coverage. The results generated by the code coverage analysis tools can also be used to compare different versions and configurations of the application under test, helping identify potential bugs before they are deployed into production. Reports generated by the code coverage analysis tool should be shared with stakeholders in order to ensure that they have a complete picture of the quality assurance efforts being undertaken during the automated testing process.

Write testable code

Writing code that is testable from the start will save time and effort in the long run. Testable code should be written with automation in mind, taking into account assertions and specifications throughout the development process. Testable code should also make use of features like mocks and stubs, which can help developers to simulate system states and quickly check if a certain feature or functionality works correctly. By writing testable code right away, developers can drastically reduce the time needed for debugging their application during automated testing.

Implement continuous integration

Automated testing is most successful when implemented alongside a process of continuous integration and delivery. Continuous integration involves regularly integrating new code into the system in order to prevent larger issues from occurring further down the line. By automating tests alongside a process of continuous integration, developers can quickly identify and address any errors or issues in their code before they become more difficult and time-consuming to fix.