What's your process for testing Solidity code before deploying?

1 Choose a testing framework

The first step in testing Solidity code is to choose a testing framework that suits your needs and preferences. A testing framework is a software tool that helps you write, run, and organize your test cases. Some of the most widely used testing frameworks for Solidity are Truffle, Hardhat, Waffle, and Remix. Each of them has its own features, advantages, and disadvantages, so you should compare them and decide which one works best for you.

2 Write unit tests

Unit tests are small and isolated pieces of code that check the functionality of a single function or contract. They are essential for verifying that your code behaves as expected and does not contain any errors or bugs. You should write unit tests for every function and contract that you create, and cover all the possible scenarios and edge cases. You can use tools like Mocha, Chai, or Jest to write your unit tests in JavaScript, or Solidity itself if you prefer.

3 Write integration tests

Integration tests are larger and more complex pieces of code that check the interaction of multiple functions or contracts. They are useful for testing the logic and flow of your code, and how it handles different inputs and outputs. You should write integration tests for every feature or module that you implement, and simulate the real-world conditions and events that your code will face. You can use tools like Ganache, Hardhat Network, or Forks to create a local blockchain environment for your integration tests.

4 Write end-to-end tests

End-to-end tests are the most comprehensive and realistic pieces of code that check the entire functionality of your code from the user's perspective. They are important for testing the user interface and experience of your code, and how it integrates with other systems and protocols. You should write end-to-end tests for every user story or use case that you design, and mimic the actual user actions and feedback. You can use tools like Cypress, Selenium, or Puppeteer to write your end-to-end tests in JavaScript, or Remix if you want to use Solidity.

5 Use code analysis tools

Code analysis tools are software tools that help you improve the quality, security, and performance of your code. They can detect potential issues, vulnerabilities, and inefficiencies in your code, and suggest ways to fix them. You should use code analysis tools throughout your development process, and especially before deploying your code. Some of the most popular code analysis tools for Solidity are Slither, MythX, Solhint, and Solc.

6 Use code coverage tools

Code coverage tools are software tools that measure how much of your code is executed by your tests. They can help you identify gaps, redundancies, and errors in your test cases, and optimize your testing strategy. You should use code coverage tools to ensure that your tests cover all the relevant aspects of your code, and that they are effective and reliable. Some of the most common code coverage tools for Solidity are Solidity-Coverage, Istanbul, and Coveralls.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?