Automation Testing in DevOps is generally relegated to the software being released to production. Environmental testing is performed by manual testing practices or high-level smoke tests.
DevOps test automation should cover the full CI/CD pipeline including infrastructure, delivery tools, software, UI, and any other technology that is included in the pipeline. Automated tests should not be relegated only to the land of software development.
Let's explore what automation testing in DevOps really means when you are looking to stabilize your delivery process and accelerate your business!
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Automated Testing in DevOps
Generally, developers tend toward coding unit tests to validate that the code is running the way they expected. At the same time, quality practitioners create automated user tests that validate the end-to-end user experience.
Quality practitioners can arrange explorative testing sessions in which teams manually look at various application area issues.
DevOps' best practice for the automation of CI/CD pipelines is to run automatic testing whenever possible. This means deploying automatic test UIs to production to detect and proactively address user experience concerns.
I generally like to take this a step further when looking at environmental conditions. Tests for environments can also be thought about in the context of monitoring and observability. A pipeline should be qualified through the use of testing tools in an automated test process. The tests should also be composed in a way that they are usable as part of your monitoring system.
For example, if you are willing to validate that a certificate is valid as part of your testing framework, you should also be willing to run continuous testing to validate that the certificate does not expire between releases.
The Importance of Test Automation
Test automation improves reliability, continuity, and productivity within teams of developers and products. DevOps teams have a better chance of staying within budget without disrupting crucial debugging or problem-shooting processes.
Test automation can be quicker than manual testing. It helps to avoid costly errors by eliminating communication barriers and saves money in teams by eliminating unnecessary work. Testing automation provides new forms of flexibility that enable the development team to reuse test scripts across the testing software.
As a business leader, do not be fooled by the short-term investment cost of introducing automated testing into your environment. Testing automation is not new and sexy functionality that you can provide to the market which is why I believe it is skipped by many businesses. Automated testing, continuous integration, and continuous delivery are critical investments to the longevity of your products.
Each release is always going to end up being more complex than the previous release. Employing a good testing process ensures that your products are being introduced to the market in a reliable and expected way. Because of the increased complexity, any manual testing process will need to scale to meet that complexity. Automated testing does not scale in cost the same way that manual testing does.
What is Test Automation?
Test Automation enables users to automate their software testing to ensure that they meet specified quality standards. Different types of testing are often depicted in pyramids. As you ascend the pyramid, the number of testing types decreases, and the costs of creating and operating the test increase. The most traditional tests were conducted using manual methods in the Pyramids in the past. It was a slow and costly procedure until automated testing tooling came into effect.
Headspin: The Testing Pyramid: Simplified for One and All
Common Test Automation Pitfalls
Below are some of the most common issues when adding automated testing to your technology products:
- Developers not participating in testing
- Unit tests not being written with code
- Testing tools are not being used to their fullest potential
- No standard for code coverage
- Best practices not being employed for a specific technology stack
- Tests are not being run in the proper places of a pipeline.
How Automated Testing Powers DevOps?
One of the core goals of DevOps is to improve delivery flow. Test automation is one of the core strategies used to help smooth out both flow and quality expectations. A cultural pillar of DevOps is continuous improvement.
Due to the shortened feedback loop of your continuous delivery pipeline, smaller and more nimble software testing and release cycles can be achieved by the development team. This means that your applications will be less prone to errors due to robust testing.
When issues are discovered in production they are not turned into a grandiose response event. A DevOps team is able to get adjustments made to both code and tests and re-release the software quickly back into production.
Without automating releases and tests, teams will scramble to recertify software before being ready to push it back to production with bug fixes. Worse, if your software teams do not employ any testing, you may never know about critical issues before customers bring them up.
How Can I Improve Continuous Testing?
Continuous testing is one of the most important things you can do to improve your success rates. If you're doing it right, continuous testing will help you catch bugs at the earliest stages of development and make sure that problems don't creep up in production.
Continuous testing helps to keep projects on track and ensure that they stay on schedule, which means that your customers get their products sooner.
A good way to start building a continuous test strategy is by creating an automated integration test pipeline. It should consist of a series of tests that are run automatically when new code is added to your application.
Automated integration tests can be especially useful when you have a large team developing multiple applications that share common code libraries or frameworks. They can also be useful for large-scale applications with many users and complex data models.
Continuous testing also allows developers to build trust with their customers by letting them know that their products are being continuously tested and improved. This can help to increase customer confidence in your product and boost retention rates.
How Does Automated Testing Change the Role of Quality Assurance?
Automated testing is a way to evaluate the quality of software. The basic idea is that you write automated tests, or scripts, to check for unexpected behaviors or errors in the code.
Automated testers can run these scripts automatically, which saves time and effort for both developers and QA staff. When you have automated testing in place, you can focus on other tasks, like exploring new features or fixing bugs, without worrying about whether your application is running correctly.
There are two types of automated testing: static and dynamic. Static testing checks for basic issues like syntax errors, security holes, and database integrity. Dynamic testing checks for unexpected behaviors such as out-of-order execution, race conditions, and timeout issues.
QA teams use automated testing to maintain high standards of quality throughout the development process. They can catch issues early on in the development cycle and communicate findings effectively with developers and stakeholders.
By reducing bugs and improving overall quality, automated testing can help organizations achieve their goals more quickly and cost-effectively.
A Quality Assurance Engineers' role changes when embracing test automation testing. Their role will now be to enable the entire team to contribute tests to the automation pipeline. Test cases should be developed and run as part of the normal delivery process.
By making this transition, Quality Assurance Engineers can now focus on higher value work like covering edge cases, improving testing tools and methodology, and leveling up team members' skills in testing.
Test Automation Stages
Test Automation includes several fundamental automation techniques that should be followed for quality testing. Testing automation systems are presented in stages atop test pyramids based on their hierarchy.
Integration Testing
Integration testing is a type of testing that verifies how well the various units and components of a system work together. It is typically performed after unit testing, and it is meant to ensure that the individual units of the system are able to communicate and interact with each other correctly.
In a DevOps environment, integration testing is an important part of the development process. It helps to identify and fix issues that may arise when different units or components of the system are combined. This can include issues related to data flow, communication, and functionality.
Automated integration testing can be an especially useful tool in a DevOps environment, as it allows developers to quickly and efficiently test the interactions between different units and components of the system. This can help to identify and fix issues early in the development process, improving the quality and reliability of the final product.
Unit Testing
Unit testing is a type of testing that focuses on individual units or components of a system. It is typically the first level of testing that is performed, and it is meant to ensure that each unit of the system is working correctly.
In a DevOps environment, unit testing is an important part of the development process. It helps to identify and fix issues with individual units or components of the system early in the development process, improving the quality and reliability of the final product.
Automated unit testing can be especially useful in a DevOps environment, as it allows developers to quickly and efficiently test individual units or components of the system. This can help to identify and fix issues early in the development process, improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the development process.
End-to-End (E2E) Testing
End-to-end testing, also known as E2E testing, is a type of testing that focuses on verifying the overall functionality of a system. It is meant to ensure that the system is able to perform all of its intended functions, from start to finish, without any issues.
In a DevOps environment, end-to-end testing is an important part of the development process. It helps to identify and fix issues that may arise when different units or components of the system are combined and used in a real-world scenario. This can include issues related to data flow, communication, and functionality.
Automated end-to-end testing can be especially useful in a DevOps environment, as it allows developers to quickly and efficiently test the overall functionality of the system. This can help to identify and fix issues early in the development process, improving the quality and reliability of the final product.
Exploratory Testing
Exploratory testing is a type of testing that involves exploring a system or application in an unstructured way, in order to identify issues and uncover new functionality. It is typically performed by testers who have a deep understanding of the system and are able to use their expertise to test it in creative and unexpected ways.
In a DevOps environment, exploratory testing can be an important part of the development process. It can help to identify issues that may not have been uncovered through more structured types of testing, such as unit testing or integration testing.
Exploratory testing can be especially useful in a DevOps environment because it allows testers to identify issues that may not have been anticipated by the development team. This can help to improve the overall quality and reliability of the final product.
System Testing
System testing is a type of testing that is focused on verifying the overall functionality, performance, and reliability of a system. It is typically performed after unit testing and integration testing, and it is meant to ensure that the entire system is working correctly.
In a DevOps environment, system testing is an important part of the development process. It helps to identify and fix issues that may arise when different units or components of the system are combined and used in a real-world scenario. This can include issues related to data flow, communication, and functionality.
Automated system testing can be especially useful in a DevOps environment, as it allows developers to quickly and efficiently test the overall functionality, performance, and reliability of the system. This can help to identify and fix issues early in the development process, improving the quality and reliability of the final product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are frequently asked questions about automated testing in DevOps:
How can automated testing be integrated into the DevOps workflow?
Automated testing can be integrated into the DevOps workflow in a number of ways, depending on the needs and goals of the organization. Some common approaches include:
1. Incorporating automated testing into the continuous integration (CI) process: Automated tests can be run every time code changes are committed, helping to ensure that the codebase remains stable and functional.
2. Using automated testing as part of the continuous delivery (CD) process: Automated tests can be run as part of the CD process to verify that code changes can be safely deployed to production environments.
3. Implementing test-driven development (TDD): In this approach, automated tests are written before code is developed, with the goal of ensuring that the code meets the requirements and expectations of the tests.
4. Leveraging automation tools and frameworks: There are many tools and frameworks available that can be used to automate different types of testing, such as unit testing, integration testing, and acceptance testing.
By integrating automated testing into the DevOps workflow in these and other ways, organizations can improve the quality and reliability of their products and reduce the time and effort required to deliver them.
How can automated testing be integrated into the DevOps workflow using Ansible?
Ansible is a popular open-source configuration management and automation platform that can be used to automate various aspects of the DevOps workflow, including testing. Here are a few ways in which automated testing can be integrated into the DevOps workflow using Ansible:
1. Automating the execution of test cases: Ansible can be used to automate the execution of test cases, either as part of the continuous integration (CI) process or as part of the continuous delivery (CD) process. This can help to ensure that code changes are thoroughly tested before being deployed to production environments.
2. Configuring test environments: Ansible can be used to automate the configuration and setup of test environments, including installing and configuring dependencies, setting up test data, and more. This can help to streamline the testing process and reduce the time and effort required to get started.
3. Provisioning and managing test infrastructure: Ansible can be used to automate the provisioning and management of test infrastructures, such as test servers, databases, and other resources. This can help to ensure that testing is conducted in realistic and representative environments.
By using ansible to automate these and other aspects of the testing process, organizations can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their testing efforts and better integrate testing into their DevOps workflow.
How can automated testing be integrated into the DevOps workflow using Java?
Java is a popular programming language that can be used to automate various aspects of the DevOps workflow, including testing. Here are a few ways in which automated testing can be integrated into the DevOps workflow using Java:
1. Writing test cases: Java can be used to write automated test cases that verify the functionality, performance, and reliability of a system. These test cases can be run as part of the continuous integration (CI) process or as part of the continuous delivery (CD) process.
2. Using testing frameworks: There are several Java-based testing frameworks that can be used to automate the testing process, such as JUnit, TestNG, and Selenium. These frameworks can be used to write and execute automated test cases, as well as manage and report on test results.
3. Integrating with build and deployment tools: Java can be used to integrate automated testing with build and deployment tools, such as Maven and Jenkins. This can help to automate the testing process and ensure that code changes are thoroughly tested before being deployed to production environments.
By using Java to automate these and other aspects of the testing process, organizations can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their testing efforts and better integrate testing into their DevOps workflow.
How can automated testing be integrated into the DevOps workflow using JavaScript?
JavaScript is a popular programming language that can be used to automate various aspects of the DevOps workflow, including testing. Here are a few ways in which automated testing can be integrated into the DevOps workflow using JavaScript:
1. Writing test cases: JavaScript can be used to write automated test cases that verify the functionality, performance, and reliability of a system. These test cases can be run as part of the continuous integration (CI) process or as part of the continuous delivery (CD) process.
2. Using testing frameworks: There are several JavaScript-based testing frameworks that can be used to automate the testing process, such as Mocha, Jest, and Jasmine. These frameworks can be used to write and execute automated test cases, as well as manage and report on test results.
3. Integrating with build and deployment tools: JavaScript can be used to integrate automated testing with build and deployment tools, such as Grunt and Webpack. This can help to automate the testing process and ensure that code changes are thoroughly tested before being deployed to production environments.
By using JavaScript to automate these and other aspects of the testing process, organizations can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their testing efforts and better integrate testing into their DevOps workflow.
What types of tests should be automated in a DevOps environment?
The types of tests that should be automated in a DevOps environment depend on the specific needs and goals of the organization. However, some common types of tests that are often automated in a DevOps environment include:
1. Unit tests: These are focused on individual units or components of a system and are meant to ensure that each unit is working correctly.
2. Integration tests: These verify that the various units and components of a system work together as intended.
3. System tests: These test the overall functionality, performance, and reliability of the system.
4. Acceptance tests: These ensure that the system meets the requirements and expectations of the end users.
It is generally a good idea to automate as many types of tests as possible in a DevOps environment, as this can help to improve the quality and reliability of the final product and reduce the time and effort required to deliver it. However, it is also important to consider the resources and capabilities of the organization, as well as the risks and costs associated with automating different types of tests.
How can automated testing help to improve the quality and reliability of the final product?
Automated testing can help to improve the quality and reliability of the final product in a number of ways:
1. Early detection of issues: Automated testing allows developers to identify and fix issues early in the development process before they become more difficult and costly to address.
2. Consistency: Automated testing allows developers to test the system in a consistent and repeatable manner, helping to ensure that the system is reliable and performs as intended.
3. Thoroughness: Automated testing can be used to test the system more thoroughly and extensively than manual testing, helping to uncover more issues and ensure that the system is of high quality.
4. Speed: Automated testing can be conducted more quickly than manual testing, allowing developers to test the system more frequently and identify and fix issues more quickly.
Overall, automated testing can help to improve the quality and reliability of the final product by identifying and fixing issues early in the development process and by providing a consistent, thorough, and efficient means of testing the system.
How can automated testing help to reduce the time and effort required to deliver the final product?
Automated testing can help to reduce the time and effort required to deliver the final product in a number of ways:
1. Efficiency: Automated testing is generally faster and more efficient than manual testing, allowing developers to test the system more frequently and identify and fix issues more quickly.
2. Consistency: Automated testing allows developers to test the system in a consistent and repeatable manner, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies that can slow down the development process.
3. Thoroughness: Automated testing can be used to test the system more thoroughly and extensively than manual testing, helping to uncover more issues and reducing the risk of quality issues being missed.
4. Resource savings: Automated testing can help to reduce the need for manual testing, allowing organizations to allocate their testing resources more effectively and efficiently.
Overall, automated testing can help to reduce the time and effort required to deliver the final product by providing a faster, more consistent, and more thorough means of testing the system, as well as by helping organizations to more effectively and efficiently allocate their testing resources.
What tools and technologies can be used to support automated testing in a DevOps environment?
There are many tools and technologies that can be used to support automated testing in a DevOps environment. Some examples include:
1. Test automation frameworks: These are specialized tools that are designed to support the creation and execution of automated test cases. Examples include JUnit, TestNG, and Selenium.
2. Continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) platforms: These tools allow developers to automate the testing process as part of the CI and CD process. Examples include Jenkins, Travis CI, and CircleCI.
3. Virtualization and containerization technologies: These tools allow developers to create and manage virtual or containerized environments for testing, helping to ensure that tests are conducted on realistic and representative environments. Examples include Docker and Vagrant.
4. Testing tools: There are many specialized tools that can be used to support different types of testing, such as load testing, security testing, and performance testing. Examples include JMeter, Burp Suite, and Appium.
By using these and other tools and technologies, organizations can effectively automate different aspects of the testing process and better integrate testing into their DevOps workflow.
What are some best practices for implementing automated testing in a DevOps environment?
Some best practices for implementing automated testing in a DevOps environment include:
1. Start early: It is generally a good idea to begin automating tests as early as possible in the development process. This can help to identify and fix issues early, improving the quality and reliability of the final product.
2. Focus on high-value tests: It is generally more efficient and effective to automate tests that are critical to the functionality and reliability of the system, rather than tests that are less important.
3. Use the right tools and technologies: It is important to choose the right tools and technologies to support automated testing, based on the needs and goals of the organization.
4. Use good coding practices: Automated tests should be well-written and maintainable, using good coding practices such as clear and concise code, appropriate documentation, and robust error handling.
5. Regularly review and update tests: It is important to regularly review and update automated tests to ensure that they are still relevant and effective.
By following these best practices, organizations can effectively implement automated testing in their DevOps environment and improve the quality and reliability of their products.
Conclusion
As you can see, automated testing is a cornerstone to DevOps. Most focus is generally put on running automated testing against software being developed. There are a lot of advantages to developing automated testing which also looks at environmental conditions as well. Accelerate your business by introducing automated testing tools today!
