December 2016 Summaries

Serverspec is a testing framework designed to check that your server has been configured correctly through an SSH connection, and it's part of the Chef DK suite. It tests verify your remote cloud or virtualization server’s actual state through an SSH connection, including resource types such as packages, services, directories, files, and commands. Test Kitchen is a testing harness that executes and verifies your infrastructure code on one or more platforms in isolation, allowing you to run your code on various cloud providers and virtualization technologies. Integration tests for the nginx-pkg cookbook were created using Serverspec, including tests for package installation, service resource type, directory resource type, file resource type, and command resource type. To improve test coverage, additional Serverspec tests were added to check scenarios such as service enablement, package version installation, and file contents. The integration testing process includes setting up a local development environment with Chef DK, VirtualBox, and Vagrant, installing Test Kitchen and Serverspec, and running kitchen test to execute the integration tests.

Software testing is often approached in a generic manner, which can lead to wasted time and resources. A curated approach to managing software test suites is necessary to ensure that tests are tailored to the unique characteristics of an application and its deployment conditions. This involves analyzing the application's architecture and expected deployment conditions, identifying key testing targets, creating a test schema, setting up the test suite, and establishing a filtering and aggregation system for test output. By curating the test suite, developers can save time and resources, and gain valuable insights into their software's performance and behavior.

Don’t Be the Grinch! Or Cross-Browser Compatibility Problems and How to Avoid Them` is a personal anecdote about the author's experience with shopping on Black Friday in a retail store versus online, which led him to realize the importance of having a good online shopping experience. As developers, designers, and quality assurance professionals, it is our responsibility to provide an optimal online experience for consumers, particularly during high-traffic times like the holiday season. The article emphasizes the need to test cross-browser compatibility to avoid issues that can lead to user frustration and lost engagement. The author suggests using automated testing solutions like Sauce Labs to streamline testing across multiple browsers, operating systems, and devices, making it easier to ensure a seamless experience for all users. By doing so, we can provide high-quality products and services that cater to diverse user configurations, both during the holiday season and beyond.

5 Aspects to Consider When Testing Mobile Apps` is a comprehensive article that highlights the importance of continuous testing in software and mobile app development. The article emphasizes the need for a sound testing strategy to ensure the quality of mobile apps, considering various aspects such as operations, functionality, structure, platform, data security, and updates. It also stresses the significance of evaluating user interaction, permissions, and data storage on mobile devices. By examining these 5 aspects, developers can create an effective testing strategy that considers both the app's core functionalities and the hardware of target devices, ultimately ensuring a high-quality user experience.

Functional testing is a critical method for software development projects, especially in the Internet of Things (IoT) era where devices are increasingly connected and sending/receiving data. IoT products have various challenges such as sensors, connectivity, security, performance, and data analytics that require planning before development starts. To address these challenges, companies must create virtual devices to simulate real-life environments and use mock approaches for functional testing. The core components of a product need to be identified and tested on local devices and enabled mobile devices. A simulated real-life environment using real devices or simulators can help test the core components, but each device is unique and may require different testing strategies. Cloud platforms that support IoT can also play a crucial role in ensuring quality and security by providing a platform for companies to stand up to real-world situations. The key takeaway is that functional testing for IoT devices will differ from product to product, requiring more test innovation to ensure quality and security.

Today, Sauce Labs announced the acquisition of TestObject, expanding its mobile testing capabilities with a new advanced real device platform. The acquisition gives Sauce Labs the only comprehensive automated and manual testing solution on the market for web and mobile applications, covering desktops, simulators/emulators, and real devices. With this expansion, Sauce Labs now offers manual testing on over 200 mobile device types in its public cloud, private cloud real device testing, and a Real Device Cloud for automated mobile testing. The acquisition further solidifies Sauce Labs' position as having the most comprehensive testing platform on the market, catering to both developers and businesses with diverse testing needs.

Usability testing is a crucial process that helps developers refocus on the client's needs by identifying usability problems and understanding how users interact with their application. Conducting a usability test involves creating a script with clear goals, facilitating the test session, and recording user responses to identify areas of improvement. A good facilitator should ask leading questions, elicit emotional responses, and avoid telling users how to complete tasks. The goal is to understand the user's experience and make data-driven design decisions. Usability testing can be conducted in-person or virtually, and it's essential to consider the target audience and adjust the script accordingly. By conducting usability tests, developers can identify patterns, prioritize design improvements, and build a better product that meets users' needs. It's also important to consider the challenges of timing and user type, but ultimately, usability testing is a valuable tool for delivering a right product.