In the software testing lifecycle, we need to set up and manage the Test Environment to support accurate and reliable testing activities. It includes environment provisioning, test configuration, test data management, test devices and test maintenance.
In this blog, I would like to share some practices to setup test environment in software testing:
Cloud-Based Test Environment
In the past, we had to calculate and purchase the appropriate hardware and software for the test environments. It took time to install the necessary operating systems, databases, applications, testing tools and configure the environment for a testing purpose.
Nowadays, when we set up a test environment, it’s recommended to consider switching to cloud-based test environments, which are powered by platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). These cloud platforms are becoming increasingly popular because they allow teams to quickly create and remove test environments as needed. They also provide access to a wide range of services and configurations specifically designed for testing purposes.
Test Data Management
With simple application, we can use dummy data for testing purposes. Using a subset of production data with data masking and refreshing the test data frequently is also a solution. As data becomes more complex and plentiful in large system, you require robust solutions to efficiently handle and provide test data.
Using a test data management tool, with essential features such as data masking, subset, and synthetic data generation, will help us create, manage, and be secure handling of test data, guaranteeing its availability throughout the testing process.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
You will write code to automate the define, setup your test environments, making them easier to manage and scale. We can use tools like Terraform and Ansible to accomplish this.
All you need to do is use the correct tools and frameworks that help set up the infrastructure using code. Make scripts that bring your test environments to life, making sure that the testing process is consistent and can be reproduced.
Using Cloud-based Testing Device
You can think about using cloud-based services like AWS Device Farm, BrowserStack, Perfecto, CrossBrowserTesting or Sauce Labs to test the application and check if it works well in a wide range of devices.
These services provide us with on-demand access to an extensive fleet of devices, spanning various operating systems, screen sizes, and hardware configurations. By leveraging these services, teams can perform comprehensive testing across different devices and platforms without the need for physical infrastructure or expensive hardware investments.
Monitor Test Environment
We need to keep track of and understand how the test environments are being used, so that we can use resources more efficiently, find performance issues, and enhance the overall efficiency of the testing process.
In conclusion, applying good practices for managing test environment helps improve the quality of software, reduce time taken to release it, and make customers happier. By reading this post, I hope you will review and consider managing your test environment.
