Updated May 29, 2023
Introduction to DevOps Testing
DevOps is a savior for both dev and ops teams to work in unison while creating less impact on both teams individually. The development team can spend more time writing quality code, and the testing team can perform testing simultaneously without putting much manual effort as automation is a part of DevOps, which is the actual characteristic of DevOps, especially testing. Looking back, we can see that the Waterfall model had major pitfalls that needed addressing. Then comes into the picture the importance of DevOps Testing.
How is DevOps Testing Performed?
If we walk through a normal DevOps lifecycle, then it starts with the following process:
- The developer will write code and commit it to a designated repository.
- Further, building and deploying the binaries in a QA Environment.
- Executing the test cases.
- Finally, Deploying the entire integrated thing into production with one smooth integrated flow.
Automation tools with continuous integration have become a mandate norm in the DevOps cycle.
What is the Significance of DevOps Testing?
Although there is a very small difference between Agile and DevOps Testing, people already working with Agile will be familiar with Agile and will eventually adapt to the work with Agile and DevOps. DevOps is an extension of the Agile method. It helps bridge the gap between agile and DevOps by introducing and incorporating the feature of continuous development, continuous integration, and continuous deployment. In the Waterfall model, the developer writes and commits the code to the destination repository in a feature branch. But now the scenario changed after DevOps came into the picture, but how?
After adopting and following DevOps, we commit the code to a version control repository instead of creating separate branches or feature branches for all. The system then picks up the code, creates a build in the form of a jar, automatically deploys tests, and installs it. This eliminates the tedious and cumbersome manual tasks. Production environment and giving release every day has become more profound and easy for the end-user. This process doesn’t only benefit one person or team, such as development or testing, but the entire cycle or chain benefits as the associated environment and processes are standardized.
We automate every phase in the entire cycle, from development to deployment. This main advantage or motto helps others concentrate on delivering quality code or relevant scenarios important for project release or development. It is quite saving as it drastically reduces the time frame of the entire project development to deployment from several long burning hours to fruitful hours without disturbing all the key contributors. It ultimately helps in end-user consumption of the project flow. Automation has played a pivotal role in making the DevOps feature of testing an advancement and enhancement. Earlier, a build was given by the developer to the tester from the feature branch used to sit down ideal for two to three days until and unless a QA approved and signed off the build to the next deployment phase for production.
Strategies of DevOps Testing
- QA will align itself with the automation and required phase of the entire DevOps lifecycle.
- Then comes into the picture the code coverage targeted for 100% but then that’s just the mere myth that one fixed % coverage is mandatory.
- Maintaining the environment standard and then making the deployment by QA is also made Automated fully.
- Maintaining a continuous integration cycle with continuous deployment is crucial for the DevOps pipeline.
- Parallel running of test cases will help achieve tests with reduced defects and bugs and less time consumption for successful DevOps implementation.
Advantages of Using Testing in DevOps
Given below are the advantages mentioned:
1. Customer Satisfaction and Improved Customer Experience
Customer satisfaction and revenue generation is the main goal of DevOps incorporation with a standardized environment of continuous development to continuous deployment.
2. Giving Fuel to Business and IT
Automation with testing has made the overall IT break down the silos and make the Development and Operations work in coordination. It has added a spark to the entire IT and development field of product generation and delivery.
3. A True Digital Transformation
Breaking all those old ways of product development to product deployment following continuous integration and continuous deployment has come a long way by providing the end customers with the quality product they seek.
4. Business Boom
No doubt it is quite revenue-generating as it is adopting DevOps, which again brings into the picture the advantages and standardized ways of incorporating multiple simultaneous builds and deployments for quality and defect-free product deliverance.
5. Agility and Velocity
The old or conventional waterfall or agile method was wasted considering the speed and velocity. But now, time consumption and flow of the entire lifecycle have taken over that with improvised methods or ways.
Techniques of DevOps Testing
“We need to follow specific essential steps for testing techniques, which include:
- Identification of test cases required to be executed for any build.
- There should be a very minimal gap between the Dev and QA teams.
- Environments for both testing and development teams should be standardized.
- Various automation testing techniques and QA should have cross platforms ready with the environment parallelly running with DevOps Environment.
- All defects, critical, major, and trivial, should pass through all phases of the DevOps lifecycle.
Conclusion
It can be easily concluded with the fact that DevOps is the future. The Waterfall model replaced the V model, and the Agile model replaced the Waterfall model. Currently, teams are using the DevOps extension in conjunction with Agile. It is a fascinating feature that to survive with DevOps and automation, get ready to fight and learn by adopting DevOps testing, which is the crux and core of the entire DevOps lifecycle.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to DevOps Testing. Here we discuss the introduction to DevOps testing, its significance, strategies, advantages, and how it can be performed. You can also go through our related articles to learn more –
