3 Methods for Hands-free Continuous Testing

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To achieve optimal Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD), teams need Continuous Testing to balance speed and quality. This isn't always easy. Constant testing is impractical; developers have lives outside of work! So how do you automate testing even when away from your desk?

Fortunately, several hands-off continuous testing methods exist, allowing tests to run while you're unavailable.

The Benefits of Continuous Testing

Continuous testing offers significant advantages:

• 24/7 Testing: Run tests overnight and receive results the next morning, knowing at a glance if they passed or failed.
• Agile/DevOps/CI/CD Alignment: Maintain quality assurance in rapidly changing environments with frequent integrations and fast workflows.
• Early Bug Detection: Quickly identify and resolve bugs introduced by frequent code changes, preventing customer-facing issues.
• Enhanced Automation: Automate your automation, running tests as needed and reviewing results (including screenshots) for application health. Parallel testing further accelerates this process, expanding browser coverage without increasing runtime.

Continuous Testing with a CI Server

Selenium WebDriver automates cross-browser testing. However, continuous test execution requires a CI/CD server like Jenkins, Azure DevOps, Buildbot, Bamboo, CircleCI, TravisCI, Codeship, or TeamCity.

Jenkins, an open-source Java-based automation server, is extremely popular (66% usage in the 2018 SmartBear State of Testing Survey). It's a reliable CI/CD tool for Agile and DevOps teams.

For Selenium-based continuous testing with Jenkins, the CrossBrowserTesting integration allows automated functional tests using Selenium, Appium, and visual screenshot comparisons. This means every build run simultaneously executes your test suite across numerous browsers.

This is ideal for teams already using Selenium and a CI tool. While Jenkins is prevalent, CrossBrowserTesting also integrates with TeamCity and Azure DevOps, ensuring easy integration into existing workflows.

Continuous Testing with Record and Playback Tools

Teams unfamiliar with Selenium can utilize record and playback tools. These tools provide cross-browser automation without scripting knowledge, making automation accessible to less technical team members or those new to automation. Tools like Selenium IDE are gaining popularity.

Traditionally, record and playback only runs tests once. CrossBrowserTesting's new scheduling feature allows for repeated execution of these tests as frequently as needed. This enables continuous testing without requiring Selenium or CI server expertise.

Continuous Screenshot Testing

Visual testing complements functional testing. Visual elements can vary across browsers and devices, impacting user experience even if functionality remains intact. Regression testing with screenshot comparisons helps identify these breaking changes.

CrossBrowserTesting's scheduling feature now allows automated screenshot tests to run regularly, similar to record and playback tests.

Continuous Testing for All Teams

CrossBrowserTesting offers continuous testing solutions for all teams regardless of their tools, technical skills, or automation experience. Schedule tests using Selenium, record and playback, or automated screenshots, receiving results via email or Slack at your preferred frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly).

Further Reading:

• Cypress Testing: A Guide to Running Web Application Tests
• An Introduction to Python Unit Testing with unittest and pytest
• How to Test React Components Using Jest
• Learn End-to-end Testing with Puppeteer
• Re-Introducing Jenkins: Automated Testing with Pipelines

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Hands-Free Continuous Testing (unchanged from original input)

What is hands-free continuous testing?

Hands-free continuous testing is a method of software testing that allows for constant, automated testing of a software product. This method is designed to provide immediate feedback on the functionality and performance of a software product, without the need for manual intervention. It involves the use of automated testing tools and frameworks that can execute test cases and report results in real-time. This approach helps in identifying and fixing bugs early in the development cycle, thereby improving the quality of the software product.

How does hands-free continuous testing differ from traditional testing methods?

Traditional testing methods often involve manual processes where testers write and execute test cases. This can be time-consuming and prone to human error. On the other hand, hands-free continuous testing automates these processes, allowing for more frequent and accurate testing. It provides immediate feedback, enabling developers to quickly identify and fix issues. This not only saves time but also ensures a higher level of software quality.

What tools are commonly used for hands-free continuous testing?

There are several tools available for hands-free continuous testing. Selenium is a popular tool for automating web applications for testing purposes. Azure DevOps is another tool that provides a set of development, testing, and deployment tools that can be used for continuous testing. Other tools include Jenkins, JUnit, and TestNG. The choice of tool depends on the specific requirements of the project.

How does hands-free continuous testing improve software quality?

Hands-free continuous testing improves software quality by enabling early detection and resolution of issues. By running tests continuously, it provides immediate feedback on the functionality and performance of the software. This allows developers to quickly identify and fix bugs, resulting in a more stable and reliable software product.

What are the challenges of implementing hands-free continuous testing?

Implementing hands-free continuous testing can be challenging. It requires a significant investment in terms of time and resources to set up the necessary tools and frameworks. Additionally, it requires a shift in mindset from traditional testing methods to a more proactive, continuous approach. However, the benefits of improved software quality and faster development cycles often outweigh these challenges.

Can hands-free continuous testing be used for all types of software?

While hands-free continuous testing can be beneficial for many types of software, it may not be suitable for all. It is most effective for software that is frequently updated or has a high level of complexity. For simpler software or software that is not frequently updated, traditional testing methods may be more appropriate.

How does hands-free continuous testing fit into the DevOps approach?

Hands-free continuous testing is a key component of the DevOps approach. DevOps emphasizes the integration of development and operations teams, and continuous testing plays a crucial role in this. By providing immediate feedback on the functionality and performance of the software, continuous testing allows for faster development cycles and improved collaboration between teams.

What skills are required for hands-free continuous testing?

Hands-free continuous testing requires a strong understanding of software development and testing principles. It also requires proficiency in using automated testing tools and frameworks. Additionally, it requires the ability to analyze test results and identify issues. A background in software development or testing is often beneficial.

How can I get started with hands-free continuous testing?

To get started with hands-free continuous testing, you will first need to choose the appropriate tools and frameworks for your project. You will then need to set up these tools and create automated test cases. It may be helpful to seek guidance from experts or use online resources to learn more about the process.

What are the future trends in hands-free continuous testing?

The future of hands-free continuous testing is likely to be shaped by advancements in technology. This could include the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate more complex testing tasks. Additionally, there is likely to be a greater emphasis on integrating continuous testing into the entire software development lifecycle, rather than just the testing phase.

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