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Negative Testing: How to Automate With Testsigma?

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Mobile First Design - A Complete Overview

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<p>The need to save cost and time has pushed organizations to introduce better and faster approaches for developing and testing applications. No longer does the ‘build first, test later’ method work in favor of companies that are attempting to succeed in such a competitive environment. Today, DevOps is the rage as it helps to shrink the time gap between development and deployment with its CI/CD techniques. But even DevOps will not be able to do any good without the right set of principles to run your project. This is where Shift Left testing principles help to transform your development and testing approach.</p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/shift-left-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shift left testing </a>is an approach that enables companies to test their applications early in the development process. And we are going to discuss the topic in detail in this blog.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_Does_Shift_Left_Mean_in_DevOps"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What Does Shift Left Mean in DevOps?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> What are Shift Left Testing Principles?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_are_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles_Important_in_DevOps"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Why are Shift Left Testing Principles Important in DevOps?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_does_DevOps_Recommend_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Why does DevOps Recommend “Shift Left” Testing Principles?</a><ul><li><a href="#Reduced_Cost_of_Fixing_Defects"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.1</span> Reduced Cost of Fixing Defects</a></li><li><a href="#Better_Quality_Product_at_Improved_Speed"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.2</span> Better Quality Product at Improved Speed</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Advantages_of_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Advantages of Shift Left Testing Principles</a></li><li><a href="#Shift-left_and_Test_Automation_in_DevOps"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Shift-left and Test Automation in DevOps</a></li><li><a href="#Takeaway"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Takeaway</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_the_shift-left_approach_in_Agile"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.1</span> What is the shift-left approach in Agile?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_benefit_of_shift-left_testing_principles"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.2</span> What is the benefit of shift-left testing principles?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Suggested_Readings"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Suggested Readings</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-does-shift-left-mean-in-devops"><span id="What_Does_Shift_Left_Mean_in_DevOps"><strong>What Does Shift Left Mean in DevOps?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Shift left in DevOps refers to the organizations&#8217; endeavor to ensure that the applications undergo testing in the early stages of development. It is a part of DevSecOps organizational design that combines development, security, and operations.DevOps consist of Continuous testing/integration and Continuous deployment: two features that make sure that the software undergoes frequent testing anywhere and whenever.</p>



<p>Continuous testing/integration (CI) pertains to testing earlier, consistently, faster, and automatically during the entire development stage. The application goes from development to testing and to deployment with no gaps in a <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/why-devops-is-important-for-modern-businesses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continuous DevOps process</a>. It consists of Unit testing, <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/integration-testing-types/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integration testing</a>, system testing, and <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/api-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">API testing</a> and assists developers in locating issues to address them and improve product quality.</p>



<p>Continuous deployment refers to automatically pushing the code changes to the production environment. It follows a series of tests before updating the changes directly to the production. To achieve such fast testing and delivery, automated regression testing is recommended. CI/CD approaches can be automated and performed well with test automation tools. For instance, <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> automates <a href="https://testsigma.com/regression-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regression tests</a> for web, mobile, desktop and APIs, thus testing large parts of your test suites. Our tool supports shift-left testing in many other ways, and you can read about it <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-does-testsigma-support-the-shift-left-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. </p>



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<h2 id="h-what-are-shift-left-testing-principles"><span id="What_are_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><strong>What are Shift Left Testing Principles?</strong></span></h2>



<div style="height:26px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="735" height="435" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/in-article-2-MC456.jpg" alt="SDLC Process" class="wp-image-29028"/><figcaption>SDLC Process</figcaption></figure>



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<p>The traditional SDLC model relies on a forward-moving process where testing occurs at the later stages. If testers identify any issues in the application, they send it back to the developers for rectification. But this complete process consumes a considerable amount of time, is highly complex, and comes with a huge cost.</p>



<p>The shift left testing principle consists of moving the testing phase from the end of SDLC to the early stages of the pipeline. As opposed to executing the test cases after the development phase is over to send the product back to coders upon encountering bugs, shift left identifies and resolves issues early in the development process. This approach reduces the time in fixing bugs that are discovered later in the pipeline and improves software quality.</p>



<p>Typically, the success of shift left means developers run more tests to check application quality before pushing it to the testers. And multiple automation tools support the shift left testing principles. For instance, a tool that lets you begin with your testing along side the development activities. This tool could support TDD or unit testing, or could help testers create tests without waiting for development to finish.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-are-shift-left-testing-principles-important-in-devops"><span id="Why_are_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles_Important_in_DevOps"><strong>Why are Shift Left Testing Principles Important in DevOps?</strong></span></h2>



<p>There are many reasons why you must adopt shift left testing principles in DevOps. Here are some of them:</p>



<ul><li>Pushes testing to the early stages of the pipeline and saves cost</li><li>Makes it easier for developers to detect and resolve bugs early in software development</li><li>Produces a high-quality application with fewer code patches and fixes</li><li>Reduces the instances of delay in product delivery</li><li>Improves customer satisfaction as the delivery is on time and with minimal issues</li><li>Allows for the use of test automation tools early in SDLC that increases the accuracy of finding errors</li><li>Enables your team to write, execute, and record test cases and their results, respectively, using automation tools.</li></ul>



<h2 id="why-does-devops-recommend-shift-left-testing-principles"><span id="Why_does_DevOps_Recommend_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><strong>Why does DevOps Recommend “Shift Left” Testing Principles?</strong></span></h2>



<p>The primary goal of DevOps is to ensure that the development and testing process is smooth, which provides better quality products at an increased speed. And two of the major reasons why DevOps recommends shift left testing principles are reduced cost of fixing bugs and increased speed of delivering high-quality software.</p>



<h3 id="reduced-cost-of-fixing-defects"><span id="Reduced_Cost_of_Fixing_Defects">Reduced Cost of Fixing Defects</span></h3>



<p>It is common knowledge in every business that resolving issues during the development phase is easier and costs less than doing so in the production phase. The process requires much less labor, has fewer dependencies, and results in rolling out a better-quality product. Early bug detection actions prompt the implementation of corrective measures and strategies, which enhances software development quality and maintains a high codebase standard.</p>



<h3 id="better-quality-product-at-improved-speed"><span id="Better_Quality_Product_at_Improved_Speed">Better Quality Product at Improved Speed</span></h3>



<p>Since developers would work on the defects as soon as they are identified in the development phase, the overall quality of the software becomes better as it moves through the subsequent phases. And this complete approach proves highly useful, allowing all the individuals involved in the project to maintain the software from the first step itself.</p>



<p>Moreover, being able to determine the issues and keep them at bay makes it easier for project managers to provide accurate information about the development to the stakeholders and keep the delivery timeline intact.</p>



<h2 id="advantages-of-shift-left-testing-principles"><span id="Advantages_of_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><strong>Advantages of Shift Left Testing Principles</strong></span></h2>



<p>Some of the advantages of shift left testing principles in DevOps are:</p>



<ul><li>The project cost gets reduced as the bugs are dealt with at the development stage.</li><li>It improves the product quality due to increased efficiency of the software development process.</li><li>It accelerates the time-to-delivery as the chances of finding defects in the production phase are low, and the codebase is strong.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-shift-left-and-test-automation-in-devops"><span id="Shift-left_and_Test_Automation_in_DevOps"><strong>Shift-left and Test Automation in DevOps</strong></span></h2>



<p>Test automation is a necessity, but does it always yield positive results for the business? Let’s see.</p>



<div style="height:26px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="793" height="435" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/in-article-3-MC456.jpg" alt="Shift Left and Test Automation" class="wp-image-29030"/><figcaption>Shift Left and Test Automation</figcaption></figure>



<div style="height:26px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>There are multiple ways for you to embrace and spread the usage of automation in your SLDC process. You can choose to become a self-starter and build your own <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-automation-frameworks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test automation framework</a>, or you can adopt the ones already present in the market after a proper analysis. But all of these <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated tests</a> require a huge sum of money, time, and skilled labor. And this is when you need to see if the investment in test automation is paying off or ripping you off. If automation costs more than the benefit it brings, you need to reconsider.</p>



<p>How do you then decide if the investment in the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/shift-left-testing-some-tools-that-can-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shift left test automation tool</a> is worth it? Consider these factors:</p>



<ul><li>Eliminate high dependencies on code specialists when automating test cases. Go for <a href="https://testsigma.com/codeless-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">codeless tools</a> that allow you to write and run test cases with the testers you already have.</li><li>A tool that is easy to learn, simple to install and implement, and available for non-technical professionals as well will offer a quicker turnaround time and better results.</li><li>Choose a tool that offers low maintenance of test cases and can scale with your growing business need. <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-does-testsigma-support-the-shift-left-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma supports shift left testing</a> by allowing you to create tests along with the development phase &#8211; you can create elements that can be filled up later. Testsigma is a <a href="https://testsigma.com/low-code-test-automation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">low code test automation platform</a> that lets you author test cases in simple English, without any need to learn code. Testsigma also lets you automate your tests for web, mobile, desktop and API applications from the same place. </li></ul>



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<h2 id="h-takeaway"><span id="Takeaway"><strong>Takeaway</strong></span></h2>



<p>The days of development first and testing later are over. Today, organizations follow continuous development and continuous testing. DevOps is making it possible with CI/CD approach. But the overall idea can only thrive if automation comes into the picture.</p>



<p>Shift-left testing ensures that testing moves closer to development and helps introduce automation into the entire process. We discuss all the possible options and choices so you understand shift left testing and implement it to improve the software quality.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions-faqs"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-shift-left-approach-in-agile"><span id="What_is_the_shift-left_approach_in_Agile">What is the shift-left approach in Agile?</span></h3>



<p>The shift-left approach in agile is moving the testing, quality, and performance check early in the SDLC pipeline, sometime even before the production code is complete. It helps developers and testers anticipate the potential changes that arise during the development process and might affect software performance.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-benefit-of-shift-left-testing-principles"><span id="What_is_the_benefit_of_shift-left_testing_principles">What is the benefit of shift-left testing principles?</span></h3>



<p>Shift-left testing principles reduces development and testing cost, create cleaner, high-quality code, saves time, and improves software delivery time.</p>



<h2 id="suggested-readings"><span id="Suggested_Readings"><strong>Suggested Readings</strong></span></h2>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-does-testsigma-support-the-shift-left-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shift Left Approach&nbsp;</a></p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/shift-left-testing-some-tools-that-can-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shift Left Testing Tools</a></p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/shift-left-vs-shift-right/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shift left vs Shift Right Testing</a></p>


Shift Left Testing Principles: Guide to Improving Testing Quality

Best Examples Of Web Applications Test Cases


<p>We know Software testing is an essential part of software development. <strong>Static </strong>and <strong>Dynamic </strong>Testing are two approaches that are important for ensuring the software’s quality. This blog will discuss the differences between static testing vs dynamic testing and when to use each approach.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Static_Testing_VS_Dynamic_Testing_8211_Overview"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> Static Testing VS Dynamic Testing &#8211; Overview</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_static_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.1</span> What is static testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_dynamic_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.2</span> What is dynamic testing?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Static_Testing_Vs_Dynamic_Testing_8211_Key_Differences"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Static Testing Vs Dynamic Testing &#8211; Key Differences</a></li><li><a href="#Static_Testing_and_Dynamic_Testing_8211_How_to_Choose_Between_them"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Static Testing and Dynamic Testing &#8211; How to Choose Between them?</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_are_static_and_dynamic_testing_in_agile"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.1</span> What are static and dynamic testing in agile?</a></li><li><a href="#Is_black-box_testing_static_or_dynamic"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.2</span> Is black-box testing static or dynamic?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_static_and_dynamic_testing_tools"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.3</span> What are static and dynamic testing tools?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="static-testing-vs-dynamic-testing-overview"><span id="Static_Testing_VS_Dynamic_Testing_8211_Overview"><strong>Static Testing VS Dynamic Testing &#8211; Overview</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-is-static-testing"><span id="What_is_static_testing">What is static testing?</span></h3>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/static-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Static testing</a> does not involve running the code; it is a static analysis of the source code to find potential issues early in the development process through code reviews, inspections, and the use of static analysis tools.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-dynamic-testing"><span id="What_is_dynamic_testing">What is dynamic testing?</span></h3>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/dynamic-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dynamic testing</a> is a reactive technique since it involves executing the code to find real bugs and issues. This includes unit, integration, system, and acceptance testing as well as verifying functionality and performance to verify that defects are realized.</p>



<h2 id="h-static-testing-vs-dynamic-testing-key-differences"><span id="Static_Testing_Vs_Dynamic_Testing_8211_Key_Differences"><strong>Static Testing Vs Dynamic Testing &#8211; Key Differences</strong></span></h2>



<p>Let us look into the major differences between both testing methods:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Features</strong></td><td><strong>Static Testing&nbsp;</strong></td><td><strong>Dynamic Testing&nbsp;</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Definition</strong></td><td>A testing technique that reviews and analyzes software documentation, source code, and other artifacts before execution.</td><td>A testing technique that evaluates software behavior when it is executed.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Objective</strong></td><td>To identify defects and improve software quality early in development.</td><td>To validate the software’s functionality and behavior in different scenarios.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Types of Testing</strong></td><td><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/role-of-a-software-tester-in-code-reviews/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Code review</strong></a>, walk-through, and inspection</td><td>Unit, integration, system, acceptance, performance, security, and user acceptance testing.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Timing</strong></td><td>It begins early in the software development process and continues forever.</td><td>Conducted after coding and development are complete.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Results</strong></td><td>Includes reviews, walkthroughs, and inspections of the software.&nbsp;</td><td>Includes functional, integration, system, performance, and usability tests&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Automation</strong></td><td>These tests, generally, cannot be automated.</td><td>These can be automated.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="h-static-testing-and-dynamic-testing-how-to-choose-between-them"><span id="Static_Testing_and_Dynamic_Testing_8211_How_to_Choose_Between_them"><strong>Static Testing and Dynamic Testing &#8211; How to Choose Between them?</strong></span></h2>



<p>When choosing between these testing, it is essential to consider the specific requirements and objectives of the <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/test-process/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing process</a>. Both approaches have advantages and limitations, so a justification for selecting one over the other depends on various factors.</p>



<p>Static testing involves analyzing code without executing it, while dynamic testing involves running code to identify any issues. The choice between static and dynamic testing largely depends on the desired outcome. Static testing may be the way to go if you’re looking to catch coding errors early and improve code quality.&nbsp;</p>



<p>On the other hand, dynamic testing is likely the better choice if you’re concerned with how a program behaves when running.&nbsp; You could also choose to do both according to the results you are expecting.</p>



<p>I conclude by saying both approaches have their strengths and weaknesses. So, it should be completely a decision based on the project’s specific needs.</p>



<h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary"><strong>Summary</strong></span></h2>



<p>In summary,&nbsp; both testing techniques play a vital role in software development and complement each other by thoroughly reviewing the software’s quality.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-are-static-and-dynamic-testing-in-agile"><span id="What_are_static_and_dynamic_testing_in_agile">What are static and dynamic testing in agile?</span></h3>



<p>When, just like the <a href="https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-software-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software development</a> activities in Agile, the static and dynamic testing is also done in iterations according to the tasks taken up for each iteration, it is termed “static and dynamic testing in Agile”.</p>



<h3 id="h-is-black-box-testing-static-or-dynamic"><span id="Is_black-box_testing_static_or_dynamic">Is black-box testing static or dynamic?</span></h3>



<p>Black-box testing is dynamic testing. The main objective of <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/black-box-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black-box testing</a> is to assess the software’s functionality, usability, performance, security, and other non-functional aspects.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-are-static-and-dynamic-testing-tools"><span id="What_are_static_and_dynamic_testing_tools">What are static and dynamic testing tools?</span></h3>



<p id="h-some-examples-of-static-testing-tools-include-sonarqube-crucible-code-collaborator-and-findbugs-some-examples-of-dynamic-testing-tools-include-testsigma-selenium-soapui-jmeter-and-loadrunner">Some examples of static testing tools include SonarQube, Crucible, Code Collaborator, and FindBugs. Some examples of dynamic testing tools include <strong>Testsigma</strong>, Selenium, SoapUI, JMeter, and LoadRunner.</p>


Static Testing and Dynamic Testing - Key Differences

Static Testing VS Dynamic Testing – Key Differences

Top 10 Database Testing Tools With Features, Cons, and Pros

Top 10 Database Testing Tools With Features, Cons & Pros


<p><em>A clean test script is a good test script.</em></p>



<p><em>But a well-maintained test script is the best.</em></p>



<p>And while developers work hard to add/update application features, the well-maintained test scripts pick out tiny mistakes that slip into the code. You can turn to <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automation testing</a> to fix the mistakes in the software, but what if the test cases themselves are wrong? Maintenance testing helps here. It keeps the tests up to date, ensures AUT quality, and increases overall test coverage. Both manual and automation tests require regular maintenance. And for this blog, we will focus on the latter and discuss all the possible scenarios you can implement to maintain your automation tests.</p>



<p>Here’s our take on test maintenance and why you should think sincerely about implementing it for your business.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Test_Maintenance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Test Maintenance Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_is_Test_Maintenance_Crucial_to_Software_Development"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Why is Test Maintenance Crucial to Software Development?</a></li><li><a href="#Types_Of_Maintenance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Types Of Maintenance Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#Confirmation_Maintenance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> Confirmation Maintenance Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Regression_Maintenance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.2</span> Regression Maintenance Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#How_Do_You_Maintain_a_Test"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> How Do You Maintain a Test?</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Maintenance_Techniques_Approaches"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Test Maintenance Techniques/ Approaches</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_Some_Best_Practices_for_Test_Maintenance"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> What are Some Best Practices for Test Maintenance?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_Main_Challenges_of_Test_Maintenance"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> What are the Main Challenges of Test Maintenance?</a></li><li><a href="#How_Does_Testsigma_Make_Maintenance_of_Automated_Test_Cases_Easy"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> How Does Testsigma Make Maintenance of Automated Test Cases Easy?</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">10</span> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</a><ul><li><a href="#When_should_maintenance_testing_occur"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">10.1</span> When should maintenance testing occur?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_importance_of_test_maintenance"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">10.2</span> What is the importance of test maintenance?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-test-maintenance-testing"><span id="What_is_Test_Maintenance_Testing"><strong>What is Test Maintenance Testing?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Test maintenance is the process of repairing test cases so they stay updated with continuous code changes. </p>



<p>Often, businesses have codes that keep changing as new updates get added to the application. Test maintenance ensures that your test script, manual or automation, stays up to date with the changes in code. With regular test maintenance, your business will save costs and time with high-quality tests by your side. For example, if the identifying attribute of a UI element (Id or class or Xpath) changes, even the test needs to accommodate that change to avoid failure.</p>



<p>There are multiple tools you can use for test automation. Some of those tools have features that reduce the test maintenance time, like Testsigma. Testsigma supports self-healing. It automatically detects the changes in the attributes of web elements and updates them so that tests don’t fail. Keep reading, and you will learn how Testsigma keeps your test cases up-to-date with the changes made in the code.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-is-test-maintenance-crucial-to-software-development"><span id="Why_is_Test_Maintenance_Crucial_to_Software_Development"><strong>Why is Test Maintenance Crucial to Software Development?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Test maintenance is crucial because it lowers the time and cost of writing tests. With test maintenance, you don’t need to keep working on new tests; add/delete the information from the existing ones. It simplifies testing, consistently maintains test quality, and improves automation testing scripts to run complex tests.</p>



<h2 id="h-types-of-maintenance-testing"><span id="Types_Of_Maintenance_Testing"><strong>Types Of Maintenance Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p>When working on maintaining tests, there are two types of maintenance testing every tester needs to work on:</p>



<h3 id="h-confirmation-maintenance-testing"><span id="Confirmation_Maintenance_Testing">Confirmation Maintenance Testing</span></h3>



<p>This maintenance testing type checks the modified code. While conducting this type of maintenance testing, you need to monitor every small and big modification in the code to ensure there are no functionality or downtime issues. Read more about <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/confirmation-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Confirmation testing</a></p>



<h3 id="h-regression-maintenance-testing"><span id="Regression_Maintenance_Testing">Regression Maintenance Testing</span></h3>



<p>This type focuses on testing the existing functionality and comes after the confirmation maintenance testing phase. It checks the complete software after the code change to ensure the existing functions do not encounter any issues. It is called <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/automated-regression-testing-challenges-agile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regression testing</a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-do-you-maintain-a-test"><span id="How_Do_You_Maintain_a_Test"><strong>How Do You Maintain a Test?</strong></span></h2>



<p>To maintain a test, you can keep changing the script to follow the code changes. Just monitor the modifications in the code and change the data/steps in the test script accordingly. But do you think this is a feasible way to maintain a test? What if a major release influences multiple areas of the application, and you would need to change every test script manually? The process seems tedious and highly time-consuming, and even prone to errors. And manually maintaining the scripts is not the right approach in the long term. But whatever your case, manual or automation, here are some of the best practices for you to follow when maintaining a test is not a one-man&#8217;s job.</p>



<h2 id="test-maintenance-techniques-approaches"><span id="Test_Maintenance_Techniques_Approaches">Test Maintenance Techniques/ Approaches</span></h2>



<p><strong>1) Using Reusable Test Modules Approach: </strong>Every feature or functionality consists of multiple components. To maintain test scripts properly, you need to break down your tests into smaller, reusable functions or modules. This way, when any changes occur to the software application, you would not need to update multiple tests, you would just have to update the part of the script that needs to be changed.</p>



<p><strong>2) Page Object Model (POM) Approach: </strong>This design pattern facilitates the separation of test script functionality from the user interface. Because each component or page has its own class, maintenance is made simpler. The only tests that would require updating in the event of UI changes are the page object classes.</p>



<p><strong>3) Centralized Test Data Management: </strong>Instead of hard-coding data in test scripts, a best practice is to keep the test data in separate files or formats like CSV, Excel, or JSON. This way, if the test data needs to be changed, you would only need to update the data files instead of modifying the test code itself.</p>



<p><strong>4) User Version Control Systems: </strong>It is easier to keep track of changes and roll back to earlier versions when test scripts are stored in a version control system like Git. This is also important when multiple members are working on the same test suite because it checks that everyone is on the same page.</p>



<p><strong>5) Regular Review and Refactoring: </strong>Just like developers are advised to always regularly review and refactor the application, the same applies to QA teams as well. The test scripts need to be regularly refactored to avoid redundant steps and to generally improve the structure of the test scripts.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>6) Using Automated Test Maintenance Tools: </strong>It is easier to detect when tests break because of code changes when test automation is integrated with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. Also, test management tools like TestRail or Jira can be used to track, organize, and maintain test results.<gwmw style="display:none;"><gwmw style="display:none;"></gwmw></p>



<h2 id="h-what-are-some-best-practices-for-test-maintenance"><span id="What_are_Some_Best_Practices_for_Test_Maintenance"><strong>What are Some Best Practices for Test Maintenance?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Below are some simple steps that make test maintenance easy:</p>



<ul><li>Build a clear and accessible test maintenance design where team members can easily communicate. You can achieve this by meticulously planning the test cycles and utilizing all the resources available to you. For example, if a tester worked on a test script for a certain feature, keeping everyone in the loop and being open to adapting changes to the test plan will help your team in maintenance testing.</li><li>Use a standard template for all test cases during automation</li><li>Try to create reusable tests or use a tool that supports reusability</li><li>Add testing as a critical part of SDLC during the development itself. This means adopting the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-does-testsigma-support-the-shift-left-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shift-left testing technique</a> and going for CI/CD approach.</li><li>Write test cases and scripts with maximum coverage in the first instance, so you won’t have to keep adding new data for every small code change.</li><li>Run regular technical reviews of your test cases/scripts every month/quarter to find missing cases.</li><li>Add test steps that focus on what users will see and experience rather than going deep to the code level because sometimes, even when the program is right visual elements are missing on the page.</li><li>Keep updating changes on the go in your tests as you change your code.</li><li>To save time and get more work done, go for a no-code test automation tool, such as Testsigma, that comes with a lot of features to reduce test maintenance time. We will talk more about it in the sections below.</li></ul>



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<h2 id="h-what-are-the-main-challenges-of-test-maintenance"><span id="What_are_the_Main_Challenges_of_Test_Maintenance"><strong>What are the Main Challenges of Test Maintenance?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Here are some of the common challenges you might encounter while working on test maintenance:</p>



<ul><li>Your team might find it difficult to manage the cost and time of maintaining the tests if they are not equipped with the right tools and knowledge.</li><li>It becomes challenging if you do not find a test automation tool that can analyze false positives/flaky tests.</li><li>Poor or delayed communication between the developers and testers can compromise the test maintenance process and make it difficult to keep the tests on track with the code changes.</li><li>Your team will come across issues with testing tools that do not have the capability to detect GUI objects and the changes thereafter.</li><li>There might come situations where there is a skill gap in testers/developers to understand the requirement and maintain the tests either manually or using tools.</li></ul>



<p>And all these challenges might be difficult to surpass, but with the right tool like Testsigma, you can lower or even eliminate some of them.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-does-testsigma-make-maintenance-of-automated-test-cases-easy"><span id="How_Does_Testsigma_Make_Maintenance_of_Automated_Test_Cases_Easy"><strong>How Does Testsigma Make Maintenance of Automated Test Cases Easy?</strong></span></h2>



<p>By now, we know that maintenance testing is extensive but possible. But what if we told you that it need not be as stressful? It is possible with the help of a feature called Self-healing. Testsigma supports the self-healing of test cases. </p>



<p>Here are some ways in which Testsigma makes maintenance of automated test cases easy:</p>



<p>1. Self-healing: As mentioned earlier, Testsigma&#8217;s self-healing feature is a game-changer. It uses <a href="https://testsigma.com/ai-driven-test-automation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI-powered automation</a> to determine any changes made to web elements in the source code and resolves them on its own, preventing the test cases from failing. This means that even if there are minor changes in the web application, the test cases will continue to function without any manual intervention.</p>



<p>2. Reusability: Testsigma allows you to create reusable test cases, which can be used across multiple projects and releases. This not only saves time and effort but also ensures that the test cases are consistent and reliable.</p>



<p>3. Easy Maintenance: Testsigma&#8217;s intuitive interface makes it easy to maintain test cases. The platform allows you to update test cases quickly and efficiently, ensuring that they remain up-to-date and relevant.</p>



<p>4. Collaboration: Testsigma allows multiple team members to work on the same test cases simultaneously, making it easy to collaborate and ensure that the test cases are accurate and reliable.</p>



<p>5. Comprehensive Reporting: Testsigma provides comprehensive reporting, which helps you identify issues and areas that require attention. The reporting feature also allows you to track progress and measure the effectiveness of your test cases.</p>



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<p></p>



<h2 id="h-conclusion"><span id="Conclusion"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span></h2>



<p>Developers keep changing the code regularly. New features come up, UI undergoes changes, and users request modifications &#8211; many such activities require code changes. With these changes, the tests need to be modified too. This is when maintenance testing comes into the picture. With regular test maintenance &#8211; automated test cases can help catch bugs on the latest code too. Thus, test maintenance can take a lot of time if not managed well. A part of the problem can be solved by choosing a test automation tool that supports test maintenance. Testsigma is one such tool with features such as:</p>



<ul><li>Easy-to-edit test steps</li><li>Self-healing test cases</li><li>Reusable test steps</li></ul>



<p>Not only this, Testsigma is a low-code test automation tool that makes your test authoring 10x faster. And lets you automate tests for web, mobile, Desktop, and APIs from the same place.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions-faqs"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-when-should-maintenance-testing-occur"><span id="When_should_maintenance_testing_occur">When should maintenance testing occur?</span></h3>



<p>Maintenance testing should occur after deploying and delivering the application to the end users. It is a sort of customer service that listens to user queries and fixes the issues encountered by them.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-importance-of-test-maintenance"><span id="What_is_the_importance_of_test_maintenance">What is the importance of test maintenance?</span></h3>



<p>The importance of test maintenance lies in saving time and cost. It helps to keep tests up-to-date with every source code change and eliminates the need to write new test cases in such situations.</p>


Test Maintenance: Guide On How to Maintain Automated Tests

What is Maintenance Testing in Software Testing?

Static Testing Techniques, Tools, Types, and Benefits


<p>We&#8217;re excited to announce our latest release, packed with new features to take your testing to the next level. We built these features with testing efficiency in mind for quality engineering teams delivering quality releases at speed.</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s begin!</p>



<ol><li><strong>Powerful new API testing capabilities<br></strong>.Our brand new API testing interface comes with powerful features that support real-time API response validation, testing of different API methods <strong>(GET, PUT, POST, DELETE, PATCH)</strong>, and data-driven API testing. <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-api-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more</a>.&nbsp;</li></ol>



<ol start="2"><li><strong>Concatenate dynamic test data<br></strong>You can now dynamically generate and use multiple different sets of data and concatenate them with Testsigma&#8217;s test data concatenation feature. It lets you easily concatenate any base strings with dynamic user properties and run the same test for as many iterations as you need. Building dynamic tests saves you time and reduces the risk of errors. <a href="https://testsigma.com/docs/test-data/types/concat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See documentation</a>.&nbsp;</li></ol>



<ol start="3"><li><strong>Download and white-label PDF reports<br></strong>Generate detailed reports for management reporting or your own audit and analysis for each build. With this feature, you can export reports to PDF, complete with test cases, test steps, and screenshots. Plus, you can include your firm&#8217;s <a href="https://www.goldenflitch.com/blog/how-much-does-logo-design-cost" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brand logo</a> to ensure the report follows any copyright and company guidelines. Note: This feature is only available to Enterprise users (<a href="https://testsigma.com/docs/reports/export-reports/export-report-pdf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See documentation</a>).</li></ol>



<ol start="4"><li><strong>Nested Step Groups<br></strong>Group the test steps that are generally carried out together, and reuse the group everywhere. For instance, in a data-driven test case, you can iterate over user profiles one by one and perform different actions based on the profile type. By creating nested step groups, you can save time and reduce the risk of errors. <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/docs/test-cases/step-types/nested-groups/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more</a></li></ol>



<ol start="5"><li><strong>Disable Test Cases in a Test Plan<br></strong>Sometimes, you know that certain test cases are bound to fail due to known existing bugs. To avoid wasting time on these failures, you can now disable test cases that you don&#8217;t want to run at the moment. This feature allows you to decouple your results from known failures and gives you more control over your testing. <a href="https://testsigma.com/docs/test-plans/disable-test-cases-in-test-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Know more</a></li></ol>



<ol start="6"><li><strong>Enhance test data mid-execution with new NLP<br></strong>Our new NLP feature lets you write values to test data profile columns during test case execution. For example, if you&#8217;re iterating over a series of SKUs, you can log the price of each SKU from the UI and write it to the desired column for a test data profile. Later, you can use this test data profile in another test case to verify if the prices in another pin code or city are the same. This feature makes it easy to add data from the app being tested to your test data profile or log status for certain actions. <a href="https://testsigma.com/docs/test-data/add-values-to-test-data-profile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Know more</a></li></ol>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:15px">With these newly released updates, we&#8217;re continuing to enable teams to set up and scale test automation quickly and without coding skills.&nbsp;<br>If you&#8217;re not already a Testsigma user,</p></p>



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<p><p style="padding-top:15px">If you’d like to see the difference that hassle-free automation can make to your release cycles, <a href="https://testsigma.com/request-demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">let us know</a>.</p></p>


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