When a tester gets the Zoomies

Ever catch yourself in one of those moments where you’re zooming in on a problem, then zooming out to see the bigger picture, all in a matter of seconds? That’s what Patrick Prill cleverly compares to the "zoomies"—those bursts of energy pets get when they’re excited. It’s a perfect metaphor for testing, where we constantly shift between deep focus and broad thinking.?

This week’s Coding Jag newsletter has some fun and thought-provoking reads that dive into these shifts in perspective—from testing like Sherlock Holmes to embracing AI in testing. There’s something here for every tester, so let’s jump right in!

News

1. When a tester gets the zoomies

Patrick Prill takes a creative spin on testing, comparing it to zoomies—those energetic bursts pets have—while exploring the art of zooming in and out in Systems Thinking. This blog is a thought-provoking guide to mastering perspectives and seeing the bigger picture. A must-read for testers and problem solvers looking to refine their approach!

2. Test smart: how to explore a product like Sherlock?

Imagine testing a product like Sherlock Holmes solving a mystery—creative, curious, and deeply insightful. Julia Kocbek champions exploratory testing as a human-driven approach that goes beyond scripts to uncover edge cases, UX gaps, and hidden issues. This blog offers a fresh perspective on balancing automation with the irreplaceable intuition of manual testing.

3. We Shouldn’t Be Writing Unit Tests

"Should testers write unit tests?" SebasViquez humorously challenges this question, highlighting why developers and testers excel in distinct yet complementary roles. This blog offers relatable examples and fresh perspectives on collaboration, making it a must-read for anyone navigating modern software development.

4. What Is Cyclomatic Complexity: A Complete Guide

Cyclomatic complexity measures a program’s control flow, helping teams simplify testing and enhance code quality. Nazneen Ahmad ’s guide breaks down its formula, usage, and testing process, offering practical insights for cleaner, more manageable code. A must-read for developers and testers striving for efficient, well-structured software!

5. Testing with a Bug in My Head (Not the Software Kind)

Ekaterina Noga shares a relatable take on the persistent "Inner Bug" that QA professionals face—balancing thoroughness with overthinking. Through personal anecdotes and practical techniques, she offers insights to turn this mental tug-of-war into a strength. A thoughtful read for anyone striving to test smarter, stay calm, and build better habits in QA.

AI

6. AI and the New Testing Triad

Jason Arbon introduces a new approach to software testing, complementing Manual and Automated Testing. By leveraging AI for rapid analysis, it fills gaps that traditional methods struggle to address, offering faster, cost-effective, and comprehensive coverage. The Testing Triad framework ensures balanced and efficient testing strategies for teams.

7. Dive Deep into Gemini: Explore Starter Apps in AI Studio

Kat Kampf ’s blog highlights the new starter apps in Google AI Studio, offering practical tools to jumpstart your next project—from spatial analysis to interactive video features. These open-source apps are ideal for quick prototyping and effortless customization. Explore them now and boost your development process!

Automation

8. Proven Strategies to Minimize End-To-End Test Flakiness

Dennis Martinez offers insights into managing flaky automated tests. He highlights common causes, including poor test data management, dependencies on test order, and environmental issues. Read this article to discover Martinez’s approach, which emphasizes proactive problem-solving to ensure more reliable and efficient testing processes.

9. Ten reasons why you should lint your test automation code

Want to improve the quality and maintainability of your test automation code? Mike Harris CITP FBCS highlights ten solid reasons to incorporate linting into your workflow. From catching errors early to enhancing team collaboration, linting can streamline your process and boost your coding skills. Read on to learn how it can make a real difference!

10. Automate Preloaded & Sandboxed Scripts with Selenium WebDriver BiDi

Lana Begunova walks you through automating preloaded and sandboxed scripts using WebDriver BiDi. This article covers how to better manage browser contexts and isolate test environments, providing useful examples and practical steps. It's a must-read for testers wanting more control and flexibility in their workflows!

11. One Technique for Fixing/Preventing Flaky Tests

Flaky tests can drive any tester crazy, but there’s a simple fix! Andrey Enin explores a practical solution to one common cause of flakiness: premature interaction with UI elements. By waiting for specific conditions before clicking, you can avoid these annoying failures. Read on for a hands-on approach to fixing flaky tests and ensuring smoother automation.

Tools

12. 20+ Holiday and New Year SaaS Deals You Can’t Miss!

The holiday season is the perfect time to snag unbeatable SaaS deals! Salman Khan has rounded up over 20 offers that are perfect for anyone looking to boost productivity or try something new. Don’t miss out—check out the list and get the best deals before they’re gone!

13. Automation Testing with Playwright + Salesforce

Testing Salesforce doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task. César Daniel C. walks through how Playwright can simplify automation for Salesforce, from handling dynamic DOMs to navigating complex UIs. If you’re looking to speed up your testing process while maintaining reliability, this post offers practical tips and a hands-on guide to get started.

Other

14. Video: The Secret to Embracing AI and Automation

In episode two of ZAPTALK, Alex (ZAP) Chernyak , Joe Colantonio , and David Moses delve into the growing impact of AI on automation, highlighting the latest tools, technologies, and their applications. They share insights on centralizing automation processes to boost productivity and discuss David Moses' journey in the field, as well as Alex's innovative AI-driven approach with ZAPTEST .?

15. Video: Automated Accessibility Testing I Test Automation Framework Development | Part XV

In this tutorial, Anton Angelov , Co-Founder & CTO of Automate The Planet Ltd, explores the essentials of automated accessibility testing for inclusive web design. He walks through integrating tools like Axe Core and Google Lighthouse into LambdaTest workflows, designing accessible frameworks with WAI-ARIA patterns, and ensuring screen reader compatibility across devices.

Events?

16.? Event: Test Automation Days 2025

Test Automation Days 2025 will take place on March 5-6, 2025, at de Doelen ICC in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This two-day conference is the perfect opportunity to stay updated with the latest test automation techniques, tools, and innovations. Learn from industry leaders, engage in hands-on workshops, and network with global testing professionals. Don’t miss out—register now!

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