What Is Development Testing (DevTest)?

Development testing is vital to a healthy software development life cycle, also known as SDLC. The necessity of DevTest can not be defined in a few sentences; however, to outline the bigger picture, it’s worth stating that according to a study conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the software issues alone cost the U.S. economy an enormous amount of $59 billion annually.

This highlights the importance of development testing, which allows the team to evaluate the program throughout the cycle. The DevTest method lets companies identify and address issues early before they escalate into more serious problems, leading to overall application improvement and reduced defect-fixing costs later.

What Is Development Testing?

Development testing is a process that is characterized by continuous evaluation of the software before the completion of the active phase of the app creation. Unlike the other testing types, during DevTest, your team doesn’t wait until the end of the development phase and includes evaluation during coding and integration.

The main goals of the shift-left approach are to ensure the correctness of the code, verify the components, detect early errors, and improve overall code quality by addressing vulnerabilities.

Key Components of DevTest

DevTest consists of various testing techniques. These techniques help improve code quality, deliver better results, and create user-friendly apps for your customers. The components of the DevTest routine, which we have gathered in the section below, ensure the smooth and robust development of the project.

Static Testing

One of the DevTest components frequently used by QA teams is static testing. This approach allows developers to analyze code without compilation. The static testing method includes code reviews, linting, and static data analysis. It enables you to catch issues in the early production phases, helping ensure impeccable code quality.

Unit Testing

This DevTest method focuses on evaluating certain features isolated from one another. By isolating certain code parts during unit testing, the QA specialists can ensure the correctness of the implemented solutions. Thanks to this methodology, the tester’s attention doesn’t dissipate between different application parts, which can increase the overall effectiveness and final quality.

Integration Testing

Unlike unit testing, this approach focuses on how the evaluated features perform together. Integration testing allows for checking if different functions work correctly together and if the data flows smoothly between various app blocks. Integration testing is one of the vital development testing tools since it allows you to catch the issues that arise when different product components interact with each other.

Automated Testing

Last but not least, an automated testing routine allows the team to facilitate specific routine tasks with specially created scripts and tools. These enable the team to run the necessary tests automatically and receive continuous feedback during development. The role of automated testing is enormous, especially when we talk about processes like continuous integration or continuous delivery (CI/CD).

DevTest vs. Traditional Testing

The traditional approach and DevTest routines are two aspects of a single whole. Both methodologies ensure the excellent quality of the product created. However, the main difference between them lies in the integration period. Traditional testing usually happens at the end of the cycle, while DevTest is seamlessly integrated throughout the process. Still, additional distinctions can clarify the difference between conventional methodology and DevTest.

Timing: Testing Early and Often

As mentioned, DevTest occurs continuously throughout the system’s creation. Unlike the traditional approach, DevTest allows you to test your web or mobile product as soon as the developers write a single line of code. This iterative approach will enable companies to identify and address issues without skipping a beat rather than waiting until the end of the active production phase.

Focus: Proactive vs. Reactive

Another point that can further emphasize the difference between DevTest and traditional testing is the focus of those methodologies. While DevTest is proactive, meaning that issues are identified during development, traditional tests are reactive, indicating problems after the development phase.

Tools and Techniques: Modern Testing Frameworks

Despite certain similarities between the DevTest and traditional testing, they are based on different tools and techniques. For instance, DevTest leverages powerful tools like SonarQube for analysis, Selenium for automated UI tests, and JUnit for Unit testing. In contrast, traditional testing is based on slightly different, like TestRail, LoadRunner, or HP QTP.

Benefits of Development Testing

Testing during development is vital for ensuring a high-quality development cycle. From catching issues early to fostering the overall performance of the developed product, this type of testing can unlock various advantages for your platform.

• Early bug detection. The DevTest routine allows you to reduce the time required to identify the issue. Unlike traditional testing, you are no longer withheld by the necessity of waiting until the development is finished. On top of that, your budget is no longer threatened by the costs of the “late” fixes.

• Improved quality of the code. The development testing leads to the overall improvement of the code quality. It helps the team to create more maintainable and effective software with the help of development testing services.

• Faster development cycles. Testing during development also contributes to faster deployment cycles of the developed product. Incorporating continuous integration and delivery into your environment makes this possible.

• Enhanced collaboration. It also contributes to more effective cooperation between testers and developers. Due to the specifics of the DevTest routine, various departments begin to communicate more frequently, which helps improve overall synergy.

Challenges of Development Testing

Unfortunately, like any testing methodology, the DevTest routine can have certain drawbacks that may complicate the delivery of effective products. Those challenges can also affect the deployment timeline and must be carefully considered before making the final decision. In the section below, we have gathered some of the key challenges you might face while attempting to integrate DevOps into your testing routine.

• Complexity. Testing throughout the active development cycle is challenging due to the constant evolution of the developed code. This leads to unanticipated issues and shifts in the technical requirements. However, this challenge can be resolved without complications with the proper approach and clarity in the development routine.

• Resource intensiveness. If you want impressive results at the end of the DevTest routine, your team has to be prepared to invest resources in the process. This includes training with additional tools, acknowledging new approaches, and the constant need for further education. Only in this case will the development testing implementation give the expected results.

• Resistance to adoption. Unfortunately, changes may not always be perceived positively, so you have to prepare that some team members will not be too excited about the decision to change the formed testing routine with new solutions. Overcoming the biases against the DevTest adoption requires serious cultural and mindset shifts to procure the necessary environment.

Best Practices for Development Testing

Sticking to the best practices is vital to maximizing the benefits of the DevTest implementation. Implementing certain approaches will help you streamline the process and ensure the necessary testing levels from the very outset. The provided strategies will also allow your company to mitigate risks, obviate bottlenecks, and create more effective workflows when working with development tests.

Shift Left Approach

This practice emphasizes the importance of early testing. Due to the specifics of this approach, the team has more time to identify issues and locate further solutions. This allows the team to ensure that the bugs are fixed effectively before they escalate into more serious matters, which can later affect the project’s overall outcome. As a result, you receive a smoother development cycle with reduced costs and time for project completion.

Test Automation

Integrating automation routines for repetitive tasks and evaluation processes is a game-changer that can drastically transform continuous integration and delivery. Automating certain tests frees up resources and ensures that routine checks are not overlooked. Ultimately, you receive a more effective testing process and specialists who can engage in more complex or specific tasks.

Continuous Feedback

Seamless and continuous collaboration between developers and testers is frequently overlooked. Yet, it’s one of the most critical factors determining the success of the DevTest routine. Therefore, creating convenient communication channels between the departments and fostering transparent and effective cooperation between QA specialists and developers is necessary.

Using DevTest Tools

Last but not least, implementing the specific DevTest tools in your testing routine is a final step that will help you make the process as smooth as possible. Utilizing static analysis tools, code coverage tools, and automated frameworks is the key to identifying potential vulnerabilities and executing tests effectively. As a result, the team stays on track in terms of deadlines without compromising quality.

Development Testing Example

The modern market is full of exciting stories regarding successfully implementing the DevTests routine. For instance, the well-known streaming giant Spotify has successfully leveraged the potential of development testing to maintain high software quality while maintaining a fast release cycle.

Specifically, by shifting testing earlier in the SDLC, the company improved the indicators of successful bug detection. This led to a significant reduction in bugs during the development phase, which helped Spotify deliver features to users faster without compromising the quality of the established product.

One more example on our list is another streaming giant that is well-known for providing visual content. As you have already guessed, the following analysis is related to Netflix. The platform decided to stick to automated routines in combination with continuous integration to ensure the evaluation of the written code in real time.

As a result, the streaming service experienced a significant reduction in critical bugs in the post-production phase and a more effective deployment process. In addition, the automation of its testing pipeline allowed Netflix to reduce manual testing efforts and receive additional resources for creating new features and overall system improvements.

Conclusion

Incorporating the development testing routine into the active phase of your product creation is an effective solution that can drastically change the outcome of the whole process. By shifting the testing routine earlier, embracing the possibilities hidden behind automation, leveraging advanced tools, and fostering feedback, your team can receive a bug-free product ready for the big market right after the end of the SDLC.

Therefore, if you are ready to embrace the possibilities of the DevTest, contact us for consultation. Our seasoned specialists have extensive experience successfully incorporating development testing routines into various product routines. Contact us for a detailed plan for receiving the maximum from DevTest for your product.