How can you use automated testing to improve Continuous Integration?

1 Benefits of automated testing

Automated testing can provide several benefits for your CI process, such as faster feedback, higher coverage, and better collaboration. Automated tests can run quickly and frequently, giving you immediate feedback on the status of your code. This way, you can identify and fix errors early, before they accumulate and affect the whole system. Additionally, automated tests can cover more scenarios and edge cases than manual tests, increasing the confidence and quality of your code. You can also use different types of automated tests to check different aspects of your code. Furthermore, automated tests can facilitate communication and collaboration among developers, testers, and other stakeholders. You can use a common framework and language to write and execute tests, share test results and reports, and track issues and bugs.

2 How to use automated testing in CI

To use automated testing effectively in your CI process, you need to follow some best practices. Firstly, select the right tools for your project based on language, platform, and requirements. Additionally, integrate your testing tools with CI tools such as Git, Jenkins, or Travis CI to enable seamless automation and execution of tests. Secondly, write tests that are easy to understand, modify and reuse. Follow coding standards, use descriptive names and document tests. Avoid hard-coding values, use data-driven tests and refactor tests regularly. Thirdly, run tests in parallel rather than sequentially to reduce time and resources required for testing. Use tools like Selenium Grid, TestNG or JUnit to run tests in parallel on multiple browsers, devices or environments. Fourthly, prioritize and categorize tests based on importance, complexity and frequency. Run most critical and fast tests first such as unit tests and smoke tests followed by less critical and slow tests later such as regression tests and performance tests. Use tags, annotations or filters to group and organize tests. Finally, monitor and report test results and performance to evaluate quality and reliability of code. Use tools like TestRail, Allure or ReportPortal to generate and visualize test reports, metrics and trends. Share test reports with team and stakeholders to improve collaboration and transparency.

4 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?