Testing is one of the more time taking components of the DevOps process. It can be taxing and unpleasant and requires a substantial number of manual labor hours. As a result, rarely do people adore it. Nevertheless, testing is essential, and no developer should disregard it. Experts in DevOps have recently advised developers to automate their testing methods, a trend that has grown widespread. With the help of test automation, you can take your DevOps projects to the next level by saving time and making your pipeline for continuous testing more extensive.
What is Test Automation?
It is a software testing approach that executes a test case suite using automated software tools. On the other hand, manual testing is conducted by a person sitting in front of a computer and methodically conducting the test stages. Additionally, the program for automated testing can insert test data into the System Under Test, compare predicted and actual outcomes, and provide comprehensive test reports. Software Test Automation requires significant financial and material inputs.
What are its advantages?
- Automation testing decreases test execution duration since automated testing is more efficient than manual testing.
- It decreases the project’s cost and resource needs. This is because a script can be executed unlimited times as long as the application remains unchanged.
- It helps deal with big input sets, which would not be possible with manual testing.
- It assists in establishing a Continuous Integration environment in which, after each code push, the test suite is automatically executed alongside the new build.
Test automation in the DevOps context
Continuous development is the essence of DevOps; the product is built, deployed, and tested before being provided to end users.
Quality assurance (QA) has grown in popularity since it emerged. With the help of DevOps, the traditional way of ensuring quality is greatly improved. DevOps integrates the QA team into the development process, uniting all involved parties. This integration requires substantial engagement amongst all parties involved.
This also delivers a high level of process speed and agility, which the DevOps approach amplifies with a high level of continuous testing automation which can be set up for running automatically.
How to consider the right tool?
Choose the appropriate software workflow solutions to establish a productive test automation process for you and your DevOps team. These systems should be able to handle and manage your test assets from a centralized place, allowing you to move your product through the testing process much more quickly and effectively. However, as valuable as an automated testing method may be for enhancing the productivity and efficacy of your software, employing solutions that do not align with your team’s or organization’s goals might result in significant issues for your business. There are an astounding number of test automation options available on the market, each with its benefits and drawbacks. As no single tool can satisfy all your automated testing requirements, your purpose should be to identify those that best fit your particular needs.
- Cost: Budget is an eternal tyrant, and your team must know where they are financially before beginning this procurement effort. Several open-source software, such as Selenium, may be beneficial when stringent limits exist. These tend to need a high degree of technical skill. Therefore they may not be as valuable to you if your team has a deficiency in that area.
- Type- DevOps testing tools are available in different varieties. Notable is the tool’s intended platform and intended audience (i.e., whether the product is aimed toward testers or developers). Ensure that the tool operates in the same language as your application or a language that your team can effectively utilize.
- Support for DevOps integration: It is always essential to double-check that your technology supports the integration of both continuous and DevOps technologies. Your workflow will be slowed if you do not effectively coordinate your tools.
- Training: Depending on the level of expertise of your DevOps team, you will need to ensure that the employees using it undergo the appropriate training.
- Quality testing reports: Continuous testing demands comprehensive test reports. These allow you to assess your analysis’s efficacy and aid in detecting errors and their root causes.
- Better customer support: You’ll want to utilize a product that can satisfy your needs and provides outstanding customer service. This is a tool that comprehends your position and may aid you in resolving challenges.
Advantages of automation in DevOps
Automating DevOps may seem like it would simply assist with performance, but it has many other benefits that may aid your development strategy. There are more advantages you may gain by using it, such as:
- Consistency – You can fix any code bugs and behavior problems with DevOps automation. Errors can be consistently eliminated, and the program can be configured for steady outcomes because of continuous quality monitoring. .
- Scalability- Automated processes are considerably simpler to scale and expand to suit growing business needs. Also, when using manual methods, expansion is sometimes hampered by a lack of available resources or QA personnel. Again, a cloud-based testing atmosphere can readily accommodate the scaling needs of an automated environment, which are limited only by the availability of software and hardware.
- Speed- The necessity for rapid delivery is another compelling argument in favor of DevOps and Automation working together. Using an automated method, testing teams may eliminate manual steps, streamline workflow, and ensure on-time delivery.
- Flexibility- All the leeway needed to accomplish software development’s scope, and functionality objectives are provided via DevOps automation. Since the criteria for a product’s functionality and scope are more concerned with achieving the product’s end goals, automation is helpful in DevOps teams when they need flexibility because it is always easier to follow than educating team members.
Conclusion
Implementing continuous testing via test automation will increase as firms prioritize continuous delivery. Initially, it might be challenging to implement automated tests over a substantial amount of your development workflow. Instead, start with end-to-end test automation and run that test on a chosen timetable. To get better results from automated testing, use a tool like HeadSpin that gives you flawless results faster.
Read Also : The Ultimate Guide To Automated Workflows For Hands-Off Dropshipping
