DevOps holds the solution to making smooth communication and collaboration between the operations and development teams – something that is pivotal to today’s competitive software environment.
Usually, in the DevOps model, the two teams work together by sharing the development responsibilities. The aim? To deliver frequent high-quality software fit for the customers’ needs. Now, with two teams working together, there are software development processes that can get complex. Processes like software testing.
In this article, we are going to look into the best way to approach testing in the DevOps development lifecycle. Let’s get into it.
What does testing in a non-DevOps environment look like?
Testing in the traditional software department is stark opposite from what it looks like in an DevOps environment. In the former, the testing process looks something like this:
- Stars after the software is developed
- Spand only across one development lifecycle
- Takes a long time to complete.
In the non DevOps model, testers work as a separate team who come into the picture when a module or version is made. Because of this, whenever a bug is detected, it becomes costly and time-taking to go back in the development process and rectify it.
So how different is DevOps testing actually from this set up? Let’s look into it.
Testing in DevOps environment
With the introduction of Agile in the software development process, the testing strategies have changed dramatically. It is being added as a part of the development process across every stage, and not something that comes at the end. And now, DevOps testing is taking the traditional model even further.
- Become continuous and automated
- Spans across every stage of the SDLC
- It is no longer the responsibility of one team, with two teams working together, the responsibility around testing also gets shared.
These features of DevOps testing leads to better software quality and a more timely release of the digital product in the market.
Besides these, there are some evident benefits that software companies enjoy when they adopt DevOps testing,
Advantages of DevOps Testing
The approach works at the back of the continuous testing model. Here are the benefits it offers.
1. Encompasses non-functional and functional testing
DevOps consists of both non-function and functional tests.
- Non-functional – security, usability, scalability, and reliability
- Functional – Regression test, integration test, cross-browser test, etc.
This ensures that the software is tested on a complete end-to-end level.
2. Continuous analysis of problem areas
DevOps testing ensures that every build of every software version gets checked. This doesn’t just eliminate the risks which affect build delivery but also ensures that all the builds are tested before they move to the deployment stage. And then again, before they reach the release stage.
3. Fast delivery and feedback
For a software to be successful in the highly competitive environment, it is important that feedback is fast and constant. DevOps testing brings the feedback time down to a few hours, ensuring that development doesn’t take time.
This, in turn, leads to faster delivery of the refined digital products.
4. Better user experience
DevOps makes it a point to add user feedback in the loop. So, whenever you make a version live or release a new build in the market, the approach counts in users’ feedback and changes the product if necessary. This way, businesses can be rest assured that at any given point in time, the product will meet customers’ needs, irrespective of how many times it changes.
So here were the primary benefits of DevOps testing. However, achieving these benefits would require you to use the best testing tools. Here’s what every DevOps consulting service company suggests.
- Jenkins
- Docker
- Selenium
- JMeter
Another aspect of DevOps testing success lies in the creation of the best testing strategies and practices. Let us look into them as we conclude our article.
The best DevOps testing practices
Let us take you through the many strategies that will ensure that you maximise the value of DevOps testing.
1. Use automation
In DevOps, the developers tend to merge their codes in a central repository. This entails frequent code updation through continuous integration. To smoothen the process out, it is recommended to automate testing. Some of the areas which are the best candidates of automation are: load testing, API testing, endurance testing, and performance testing.
Now, while choosing the automation route, it is important to note that there should be a scope for manual testing as well.
2. Select the best tools
In order to get the most of DevOps testing, it is imperative that you use the best testing tools. When choosing it, the primary thing to evaluate would be if the team has the right skillset to use them. Next would be the cost of the tool, the need for technical support, and the ability to execute test cases minus complex integrations.
Now, as discussed earlier, here are the best tools – Selenium, Docker, JMeter, and Jenkins.
3. Track metrics for performance analysis
Using the right metrics to check the failure or success of testing is a good practice in a highly agile software environment. It enables tracking of how the changes have impacted the business goals. The several metrics that you should track can be:
- The number of test cases failed vs. passed
- The number of bugs identified
- The frequency of failing tests
- The execution time between testing and development update.
Parting notes
The software domain is fast changing. To keep up with the changes while keeping themselves aligned with the customers’ needs and expectations took businesses towards the DevOps model. However, the best application of DevOps would require getting the testing process right. We hope that through this article you would know what is needed for making the DevOps project successful.
In the end, only 2 things would matter when it comes to DevOps testing – the right testing tools and the best testing strategies. As we have covered both the elements in the article, we are hopeful that you are ready to adopt the model in your software business.
