What is Continuous Testing in DevOps: Things you must know

1. Quick bug discovery and remedy

Continuous testing helps break down the complexities in multilayered architectures by utilizing an automated and scalable testing solution.

2. Helps bring consistency in code

Continuous code testing improves the quality of software delivered, bringing a similar level of code maintenance throughout the procedure. With continuous integration, the system and its parts remain consistent, increasing the quality of deployments.

3. Accelerate releases and higher efficiency

Continuous testing allows automation of quality assurance and quality interoperation. Integrating feedback loops into user and unit testing modules helps developers get insight to improve the code performance and compatibility before deploying.

4. Continuous Testing brings more transparency

Since the code is tested right from the beginning, developers and testers have a clear idea of each development and update in the software development process. The team always gets intimated whether the code worked or failed in the tests conducted through the automation tools that give 99% accurate results.

5. Enhanced user experience

The new and advanced testing methods can imitate a variety of use cases and help developers analyze how users will react to the particular scenario. The results gathered from these reports help developers fix the UI’s inconsistencies before to avoid any issues during or after the deployment.

Creation of virtual environments

In order to perform continuous testing successfully, all the environments must be up and running all the time for constant testing. The challenge here is that it is not possible to keep multiple domains running all the time. Therefore, in order to test code, virtual environments must be created that allow the testing of code at all times.

Create an anonymous test database

Since continuous testing will require the database at its disposal, a synthetic database must be created to perform continuous testing, which protects the data breach and maintains confidentiality with no original information at risk.

Reliable test automation

Continuous testing can only be performed effectively using automation tools for DevOps. Some of the best automation testing tools that deliver the best results are:

#Jenkins

Jenkins is a leading open-source integration tool made in Java that lets developers build, test, and deploy software. GIA interface and console commands can be configured to this tool.

#Travis

Hosted by Github, this continuous testing tool offers on-premise variants and offers multiple languages for the software to build conveniently.

#Selenium

Selenium is best for web application testing and is an open-source testing tool that supports Chrome, Firefox, and other well-known browsers.

#Query Surge

Query surge is an advanced testing tool created primarily to automate the testing of Big Data and Data Warehouses. This tool keeps the data intact in the target store by constantly checking and notifying any differences in the data.

1. Lack of proper testing tools

Lack of test automation tools causes the testing team to struggle with the tools and framework. Since many products don’t have standard tools for continuous testing, product teams often have to work with the in-house automation tools/frameworks that are usually not appropriately documented. Even if you attempt to make changes in the tool, it may cost your resources and time, which is typically impossible when the team has to deliver the product in a specific timeframe.

2. Test data management causes trouble

Locating accurate test data is the biggest challenge in continuous delivery. If the test data management is done correctly, the team’s overall efficiency can be increased. The main issue with test data management is the extraction of all the data spread across multiple databases and very limited access to production systems. Maintenance of different versions of data for different kinds of testing without copying the production data is again a challenge.

3. Absence of feedback loops

To use continuous testing, feedback loops must be incorporated into the system to get real-time feedback. Lack of such feedback loops can lead to a delay in action. Feedback loops are necessary because they give alert messages if a bug is found. It also helps in getting the product’s performance metrics as it provides a real-time performance dashboard. Lack of these feedbacks can lead to poor product quality.

4. Multiple test data versions creation

Locally stored test data for testing environments can lead to various test data versions. Keeping all the test data into a repository and using it for different testing environments can eliminate this issue. This may cause network delays, though.

5. Scalability problem due to improper tool

Continuous testing gets hindered if there is no proper support for ongoing test sessions, which may lead to slow executions of tests. If the tool has such issues to accommodate test session data, the system may slow down due to overload, delaying the entire process. Moreover, you can’t switch to another tool midway.

6. Insufficient testers for Continuous testing

Continuous testing creates an immense workload for testers because it is a constant process and requires a lot of investment to set up the process. Testers find it hard to balance between the efforts required to set up continuous testing and the tasks that require traditional testing, which are generally of high priority. This leads to backlogs and time crunch for carrying out continuous testing.