June 2019 Summaries

AIOps is an IT operations strategy that leverages machine learning and data analytics to automate decision-making. To be implemented successfully, AIOps requires a careful approach, including setting up an effective automated testing strategy for AIOps applications. Automated testing ensures the quality of AIOps software at a pace that keeps up with AIOps tools themselves. The author discusses the importance of automated testing for chatbots, which are a common type of AIOps application, using Botium as an example. Botium is an open-source testing tool designed to automate testing of chatbot behavior, allowing testers to execute tests in seconds and providing a complete management toolbox with predefined test environments and test sets. By automating testing, AIOps tools can be ensured to deliver on their promised value, making end-users' experiences reliable and structured.

Unit tests are essential for software delivery and testing pipelines as they provide a solid foundation for other types of testing. To get the most out of unit testing, it's crucial to test earlier and more frequently, making sure that developers own the quality of their code. This includes writing unit tests that take minutes to write and seconds to run in parallel, focusing on one thing per test. Adopting GitOps with dry runs can also ensure good code makes it through to production while flagging bad code before a commit. Furthermore, leveraging headless testing in the cloud enables developers to write tests quickly and get feedback in near-real time, making unit testing faster and more efficient. By implementing these best practices, DevOps teams can enjoy a faster pace of deployment and highly usable applications.

Verizon Media`, a digital content giant with brands like Huffington Post and TechCrunch, aimed to deliver quality experiences across its portfolio by standardizing development practices and testing. To accomplish this at scale, they created a `CI/CD` pipeline using an open source framework called `Screwdriver`, which prioritized security and integration with various tools. By integrating `Sauce Labs` with Screwdriver, Verizon Media's teams can now configure and launch automated tests to the Sauce Labs Continuous Testing Cloud, enabling continuous delivery and testing goals. This has resulted in significant productivity gains for developers, allowing them to focus on creating features that delight users worldwide, while saving 4,500 hours per year by not having to staff and manage test infrastructure.

Kubernetes has revolutionized the way software testing is executed at scale by providing a platform that scales based on needs and demands. It enables the automation of various testing scenarios, such as chaos engineering or A/B testing, to reduce risk and make systems more resilient to failure. Kubernetes helps with software testing through CI/CD automation, ephemeral QA environments, and shift-left testing, allowing for faster feedback and improved communication between developers and testers. By leveraging Kubernetes' advanced container orchestration capabilities, testing teams can create identical production environments for testing purposes and automate the testing process, resulting in time savings and enhanced collaboration.

As a DevOps engineer, it's essential to understand the fundamentals of software testing, including automated testing, which is crucial for achieving speed and consistency in software delivery. To identify which tests to automate, consider factors such as test frequency, manual execution time, and whether the test has already been validated. Familiarity with automated testing frameworks, such as Jenkins or Selenium, can also be beneficial in reducing development and maintenance time. Furthermore, developing expertise in analyzing test results, staying up-to-date on new tools and frameworks, and acting as an agent for innovation and progress are critical skills for DevOps engineers to master. By building these skills, DevOps engineers can provide value to their team's implementation of automated software testing strategies.

Abby Bangser is a key contributor to the testing community, speaking frequently at industry events, developing educational content, and mentoring up-and-coming testers. She initially planned to become a developer but decided software testing was a better fit for her skills, personality, and interests. Abby considers herself a "tester by choice," which is also the name of her blog. She learned that QA is about delivering quality to end users, not just looking for bugs, and developed a keen interest in working on products where fellow engineers are the users. As a woman in technology, Abby has experienced sexism but has also found supportive communities like Speak Easy and the Ministry of Testing, which have offered her opportunities to grow. She is proud of her accomplishments, including co-developing workshops with Lisa Crispin, introducing new ways of thinking, and mentoring others. Abby has learned from many people in the industry, including those who have started organizations that promote diversity and inclusion. Her advice for younger self or mentees is to learn how to learn effectively, be aware of burnout, and prioritize self-care.