Continuous Testing (CT) is a relatively new concept in Software Engineering that fits in perfectly with two of the core aspects of DevOps – continuity of the process of development and a source of uninterrupted feedback. The practice of Continuous Testing pivots around test automation as well as early and frequent testing (shift left).
Diligent implementation of a fully automated Continuous Testing process by an organization can lead to an uninterrupted software delivery cycle. Since DevOps incorporates testing throughout an agile project lifecycle, Continuous Testing becomes extremely important in DevOps, for a number of reasons:
Facilitates the Continuous Delivery Process
Continuous Testing is a crucial component of the software development cycle that includes continuous development, integration, and deployment. In DevOps, Continuous Testing plays a vital role since it results in efficient testing services owing to the use of methods and concepts of agile development for the purpose of testing. Increased communication, collaboration, and innovation enabled by Continuous Testing aid the Continuous Delivery process for an organization.
Ensures Continuity in the Software Development Life Cycle
The inclusion of Continuous Testing in the DevOps process can ensure continuity throughout the SDLC. Continuous Testing encourages different teams in the development value chain to coordinate effectively with one another. Since there is, generally, an overlapping of roles in a DevOps scenario, Continuous Testing allows everyone involved in the software development process to contribute across the value chain as and when required. Hence, there is continuity in development, and quality becomes a joint responsibility.
Enables Comprehensive Test Coverage
A top software testing company would aim at comprehensive test coverage with the help of Continuous Testing tools such as Selenium and others. Development teams in DevOps can initiate the Continuous Testing process by testing the performance and functionality of the code developed by them. In addition, other tests that are carried out for increased test coverage include tests such as UI, API, and regression testing, among others.
Enables Quality Assessment at Every Step
With Continuous Testing, the evaluation of the quality of the software is possible along the entire line of development. The key objective of Continuous Testing is ‘test early and test often, (shift left), with the various stakeholders in the process being the developers, DevOps, Quality Assurance (QA), and Operational system. The improvement in product quality from Continuous Testing is a result of finding and addressing risks effectively, and gaining instant feedback at the different phases of development.
Helps Upgrade the Delivery Pipeline for Feedback
To achieve the ‘continuous feedback’ objective of DevOps, it is important to upgrade the delivery pipeline for an effective feedback mechanism. Towards this end, the automation and implementation of Continuous Testing early in the development cycle are very useful as they can deliver actionable feedback in accordance with the stage of the delivery pipeline. In essence, Continuous Testing can link together Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) more closely.
Integrates Seamlessly into DevOps Process
Continuous Testing plays an important role in DevOps given its ability of seamless integration into the process of accelerated development in an agile environment. Since the cooperation of development, operations, and QA teams form the crux of DevOps, Continuous Testing enables teams to work as one cohesive unit. With the undisrupted development and testing of software on a continuous basis, and quick bug fixes, an organization can align the development process with business demands.
Allows Faster Software Delivery to the End User
Continuous Testing is a constant testing process which, when meticulously used by an organization, can lead to faster delivery of new software to the end user. With newer software continuously developed, tested, and deployed, an organization can notably improve the speed of software delivery since the changes made to the software can be set up speedily in production. Consequently, an organization can employ effective marketing strategies to further improve its revenue potential.
Helps Organizations Cater to the Needs of Dynamic Markets
An organization using Continuous Testing in DevOps is capable of meeting the ever-changing requirements of its business. This is possible given that Continuous Testing entails repetitive and automated testing of software, from the creation of the build to the final release of the product. The diverse testing path in Continuous Testing, together with effectual QA methodologies, ensures a bug-free final product, enabling an organization to stay abreast of the needs of dynamic markets.
In Conclusion:
Continuous Testing holds great significance for organizations using DevOps for the regular deployment of software into production. The use of Continuous Testing in DevOps essentially interweaves testing efforts into all stages of designing, developing and deploying the software. When Continuous Testing is implemented properly, an organization can get a constant insight into the robustness of the latest software build and ensure speedy delivery of high-quality software. Leave the worry of Continuous Testing to the professionals and experts – connect with us.
Comments(1)
Posted on Aug 06, 2023
1 year ago
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