Bugs can be quite annoying in real life, just as much as in coding. That is why we, as developers, must be very thorough in testing our code to ensure high-quality outputs. At Hatchit, we currently rely on manual testing where we code, test, integrate, and repeat. While this process is effective, it can be very tedious and repetitive.

 

In our company’s culture, we believe in continuous learning and constantly enhancing our skill set to keep up with the new advancements in our industry. Last June 28, 2024, we held our monthly TechEx Huddle, where one of our talented tech experts, Luke, shared his knowledge about automated testing. Automated testing is all about utilizing software tools and scripts that allow tests to be performed automatically on applications despite it still being in the development stage. This plays a huge role in achieving a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline, which is a standard practice in the company.

 

Luke discussed the key principles and benefits of automated testing, emphasizing its use of reusable components across different test cases and projects and how it effectively manages increasing amounts of tests and data. This leads to faster execution of tests that cover more scenarios and edge cases. Moreover, it ensures a more efficient way to update code, providing consistent and accurate results while reducing costs.

 

The talk highlights how to make the most of automated testing by integrating certain practices. Luke advised to start small with less complex tests, like a login feature, to get familiar with the tools and processes without feeling overwhelmed. This approach will help in managing more complex features over time. Choosing the right tools is a crucial practice and he suggests that Jest and Cypress are better fit for our company’s projects. Jest focuses on Javascript unit tests while Cypress for end-to-end testing, as both are effective and easier to maintain. These tools ensure comprehensive and efficient testing.

 

Another practice to follow is keeping the scripts up to date. This involves regularly updating them to reflect new changes in functionality and refactoring them for better readability and maintainability. As such it will help keep the codebase clean and the tests relevant. It is also helpful to measure how the tests are performing using tracking metrics like test coverage and execution time. This will help in making informed decisions about where to focus the testing efforts and optimize these tests for better performance. Finally, integrating these tests into a CI/CD pipeline is a good practice as well. It makes sure tests run automatically whenever there’s a code change, catching issues early and keeping the application stable. This setup keeps everything running smoothly during the development stage.

 

Incorporating automated testing to our current development processes will surely make catching bugs much faster and with less manual effort. By using these practices and tools, we’ll boost our efficiency and productivity in developing high-quality applications. At Hatchit, we believe that in collaboration and continuous learning, we can provide innovative and sustainable solutions that best fit the client’s needs.