Automated and autonomous testing
Automated testing helps quality assurance with scripted checks against application code and features. Autonomous testing takes control completely, assessing a system or app without any human intervention at all. Put together an effective test automation strategy with these pointers and warnings from experts, and evaluate the tools available.
Top Stories
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Tip
10 Feb 2022
AI/ML in software testing, cross-platform testing benefits
AI-powered cross-platform and cross-browser testing has both benefits and complications. Learn more about the role machine learning technologies can play in these QA processes. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2021
Harness baits CI/CD set with feature flags, cloud auto-stop
New modules from Harness may entice customers to buy more of its CI/CD software, but unseating DevOps pipeline tools from larger vendors remains a daunting challenge. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Jun 2023
automated testing
Automated testing is a software testing technique that automates the process of validating the functionality of software and ensures it meets requirements before being released into production. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Mar 2023
smoke testing
Smoke testing, also called build verification testing or confidence testing, is a software testing method that is used to determine if a new software build is ready for the next testing phase. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Aug 2022
canary testing
In software testing, canary testing refers to testing a new software version or a new feature with real users in a live (production) environment. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Feb 2022
AI/ML in software testing, cross-platform testing benefits
AI-powered cross-platform and cross-browser testing has both benefits and complications. Learn more about the role machine learning technologies can play in these QA processes. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Oct 2021
dependency hell
Dependency hell is a negative situation that occurs when a software application is not able to access the additional programming it requires to work. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2021
Harness baits CI/CD set with feature flags, cloud auto-stop
New modules from Harness may entice customers to buy more of its CI/CD software, but unseating DevOps pipeline tools from larger vendors remains a daunting challenge. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jun 2021
How to build a CI/CD pipeline with Azure and GitHub
Some organizations need to build and deploy apps to specific cloud platforms. This walkthrough shows you step by step how to create a CI/CD pipeline using GitHub and Azure DevOps. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2021
5 ways to write maintainable automation code
Development teams can ensure the automation code they write is maintainable if they're careful about their tooling and the processes they adhere to. Consider the five rules below. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 May 2021
How to address 5 common CI/CD implementation challenges
CI/CD removes the manual steps involved when you create and install application code. Address these CI/CD challenges and ease the flow of your software pipeline. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 May 2021
6 ways to harness test automation in a CI/CD pipeline
Effective automated checks in CI/CD help minimize and mitigate bugs and keep software builds and deployments running on time. Try these practical tips in your pipeline. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Apr 2021
A Selenium IDE vs. WebDriver comparison
Selenium IDE and WebDriver play their own roles in test automation. It's important to know how the two tools differ and how they complement each other. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2021
Will codeless test automation work for you?
Simple and repeatable -- that's the appeal of codeless test automation. But just how useful is it? Find out in which circumstances the method can be most effective. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Mar 2021
An Eggplant automation tool tutorial for Functional, DAI
Eggplant Functional and DAI are two popular tools in the testing community. This video demonstrates how to install the tools and integrate them with the agent feature. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Feb 2021
How to write test cases for both manual and automated tests
Immerse yourself in the basics -- and particulars -- of writing test cases for both manual and automated tests, and learn the components crucial to each approach. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Jan 2021
Top 3 application performance testing objectives and goals
Let's explore the importance of result analysis, the right measurements and test design for application performance testing. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jan 2021
A guide to testing in DevOps and key strategies, practices
Here's why testers and testing are such big parts of DevOps, and some ways to further incorporate testing for better software application development. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jan 2021
Analysts mixed on future growth of MLOps, AutoML tools
Demand for MLOps and AutoML tools is on the upswing, and the machine learning market will undergo an increase in consolidation, analysts say. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jan 2021
Checklist for mobile app testing: 15 gaps to look for
Makers of iOS and Android apps chronically fail to test these 15 aspects of mobile apps. But to release quality mobile software, development teams must start testing -- here's how. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Dec 2020
Top 10 software development and test tips of 2020
What can you do better in 2021? Adopt different test tools, automate more processes, run a more productive dev team? Follow this advice from various experts to make it all happen. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Nov 2020
Cypress vs. Selenium: Compare test automation frameworks
Testing a complex application front end? What about a web app written in Ruby? Pick a test automation framework -- Selenium or Cypress -- that fits the project. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Oct 2020
How and why to do parallel testing
Parallel testing can be a boon to test coverage and test execution times. But while the practice is quite adoptable, testers still need a well-thought-out implementation strategy. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2020
Developers must consider low-code app security
Security is baked into most low-code development platforms, but developers still need to pay attention to security issues and test for vulnerabilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Aug 2020
4 ways to minimize test automation maintenance
Test automation maintenance is inescapable. Here are four ways to reduce maintenance and ensure software testing is as effective as possible. Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2020
Snyk, Accurics secure infrastructure as code
Snyk has introduced a new tool to help developers secure their infrastructure-as-code configurations. Accurics also upgraded its infrastructure-as-code security tool. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Aug 2020
The benefits of building a network automation lab
Network teams can build network automation labs to create a safe environment to test and validate automation tasks before running them in production networks. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Apr 2020
Improve ROI in software testing with adaptability, automation
QA needs to reiterate its value to the business side of the organization. Use this tried-and-true advice to leverage documentation and automation to make everyone happy. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Apr 2020
How to get started with automation test scripts
What makes a good test script? And how do you evaluate appropriate tools and languages? Here's what software developers and testers need to know to make test automation part of their process. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Apr 2020
Find the right software testing methods for your dev process
Many organizations want to do more automated testing, but which tests solve specific problems? Here's a breakdown of the key test types and how they might fit your test strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Apr 2020
Find the right automation test cases
One piece of software might be well-suited for test automation while another won't. Here are the factors to look for when you need to settle on your test strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Apr 2020
7 questions to ask before you select software testing tools
Before you select software testing tools, you need to know how to evaluate them. Explore trial versions, research the vendors and assess your organization's needs and capabilities. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Apr 2020
Compare the top automated functional testing tools
This roundup of top automated functional testing tools, including Selenium, Micro Focus UFT and TestComplete, will guide you to pick the best choice for software testing needs. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Apr 2020
Weigh test automation's advantages and disadvantages
Automated testing can add speed and completeness to the software development process, but be sure you've considered the tradeoffs. Let's look at the pros and cons. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Apr 2020
Know when to choose automated vs. manual testing
Vendors have inched toward automated application testing for a long time, yet there is still room for growth. Software tester Amy Reichert offers her insights. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Apr 2020
Can we fully automate our software testing?
Your boss has jumped on the bandwagon to automate software testing. Don't despair. Software testing expert Matt Heusser walks through what to say -- and do -- to keep everyone happy. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Apr 2020
4 ways to use record and playback test automation tools
Many test automation tools offer record and playback testing. Here's how to apply this handy capability for training, usability tests and continuous automated testing. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Apr 2020
How to evaluate test automation languages
You have options when choosing a test automation language. Is Java the way to go? What about Ruby or Python? Let's look at the pros and cons. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2020
Test automation maintenance requires knowledge sharing
An important but overlooked aspect of test automation maintenance is the institutional knowledge of how the testing is done. Don't restrict that information to just a few people. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Feb 2020
Security testing web applications and systems in the modern enterprise
Security testing web apps with little budget and poor documentation is difficult. Ric Messier discusses building a security testing lab in the DevSecOps, cloud and automation age. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Feb 2020
How to use Selenium IDE for record and playback testing
Testers can use a tool like Selenium IDE for test automation to efficiently check web app interfaces. Here's how to put the open source tool to work in no time. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2020
New tool fixes app accessibility glitches
The new Applause Accessibility Tool helps developers write better apps for disabled users by automatically finding and fixing app accessibility issues in their code as they write it. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2020
Synopsys Code Sight combines SAST, SCA testing in the IDE
Synopsys' Code Sight IDE plug-in provides capabilities for simultaneous static application security testing (SAST) and software composition analysis (SCA). Continue Reading
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Podcast
31 Jan 2020
How Python makes automating security tasks a snap
Security professionals with coding skills can get a lot done in not a lot of time. Hear why Python suits beginners and how it puts security and developers on the same team. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Jan 2020
Patience is pivotal for the autonomous vehicle future
The fatal collision between an Uber ATG vehicle and a pedestrian was a reminder that autonomous vehicles are not ready and that a difficult technological hill remains. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
27 Dec 2019
What's in store for software development trends in 2020?
New year, new IT priorities. While not all initiatives stick, these development and testing trends will shape how teams create, evaluate and deploy software. Get ahead of the curve. Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2019
Manual mainframe testing persists in the age of automation
Mainframe testing is still done manually by many IT shops, despite mainframe modernization and digitization efforts that benefit from automated software testing methods. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2019
5 vital QA skills for software testers
As testing extends throughout the SDLC, QA engineers do much more than execute a quick functionality check. Pick up these skills to ensure an effective, team-wide approach to quality. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Nov 2019
Is RPA the future of test automation?
IT organizations will use test automation, RPA and low-code development tools to create, assess and automate complex processes in the near future. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2019
How to perform test automation maintenance
Automated tests run on their own, but they need a little help to stay in shape. Proactively address test automation maintenance with initiatives in these two key areas. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Oct 2019
How to overcome IoT performance testing challenges
IoT that interacts with things -- rather than human users -- introduces new challenges in effective testing, but IT pros can use design best practices to ensure applications will scale. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Oct 2019
Web and mobile testing faceoff: Sauce Labs vs. BrowserStack
Two automated testing platforms enter; only one tool leaves. IT consultant Tom Nolle examines how Sauce Labs and BrowserStack each test apps across mobile devices and web browsers. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2019
5 key ways to fulfill the role of QA in DevOps
DevOps teams want production-ready code, which means someone in this fast-moving pipeline needs to think like a user. Enter QA, with its toolkit of exploratory tests, design review and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Sep 2019
How to plot out a test automation strategy
Test automation can deliver great value or immense frustration. Map out a winning approach that helps engineers learn test automation skills and doesn't leave them exasperated. Continue Reading
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Podcast
29 Aug 2019
Listen and learn about QA automation, built-in quality
Poorly designed environments and QA automation scripts impede digital transformation. In this podcast, we discuss how to stabilize a quality signal and implement continuous improvement. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Aug 2019
What semantic monitoring can and can't do for microservices
Semantic monitoring can identify microservices performance problems, catch bugs in transactions and ensure uptime. But when you test in production, you'd better know what you're doing. Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2019
IT pros contend with the future of continuous delivery
Continuous delivery tools are poised to add comprehensive breadth and analytical depth, but whether most enterprises can assimilate them is another matter. Continue Reading
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News
15 Aug 2019
Jenkins X gears up for SaaS version, GitOps standards
With key maturity milestones behind them, the maintainers of Jenkins X prepare a SaaS version, and plan to collaborate with Google's Tekton and Netflix's Spinnaker. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2019
CloudBees CEO reveals plans for CI/CD tools, Google project
CloudBees CEO Sacha Labourey puts his roadmap cards on the table for the next generation of the company's CI/CD tools and an upcoming project to co-develop CI/CD for Anthos with Google. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2019
GitOps path puts CI/CD ahead of infrastructure automation
Which comes first -- automated app deployment pipelines, or automated infrastructures on which to deploy? At GitOps shop Procore, the answer is emphatically the former. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2019
Compliance-as-code tool hits DevSecOps sweet spot for MSP
There are almost as many tools to assist with DevSecOps as there are definitions for the term – how one managed service provider that serves federal agencies chose a compliance-as-code vendor. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jul 2019
How to build a test automation framework
To create an automated testing framework, establish plans for test creation, tools, reporting, logs and maintenance. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2019
Kubernetes policy project takes enterprise IT by storm
A Kubernetes-friendly compliance as code project hosted by the CNCF has caught on among large enterprises in the first half of 2019, largely through word of mouth. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Jun 2019
How do I know what's test automation vs. automated testing?
A script-based tool has replaced a daily testing exercise on some code. Is it simply an automated test, part of a test automation strategy or even DevOps-enabled continuous testing? Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2019
SmartBear acquires Cucumber to bolster its testing tool set
SmartBear adds Cucumber's behavior-driven development tools in a bid to pad its lead in software testing, but must also balance the needs of open source and paid tool audiences. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2019
Eggplant adds new features to AI test automation suite
Eggplant has added customer experience-focused upgrades to its Digital Automation Intelligence Suite that aim to make the testing process faster and easier. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jun 2019
How autonomous software testing could change QA
Manual testing takes too much time, and test automation scripts need ongoing maintenance. Autonomous testing might provide an answer for teams unwilling to compromise on speed. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2019
CloudBees Rollout buy may herald a future of feature flags
Feature flags can be a powerful tool to test code in production, and that spurred Cloudbees' acquisition of Rollout -- but as always, with great power comes great responsibility. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 May 2019
Boost QA velocity with incremental integration testing
The longer it takes to perform tests, the less Agile your team is. Here are four common approaches to integration tests that help reduce bottlenecks and delay. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 May 2019
What to expect from AI in app development tools
If an IDE or test suite could truly do it all, would you want it to? See how AI is evolving in app development tools, from assists and prompts to full-scale code generation. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 May 2019
6 ways to accelerate automated software testing
Reducing software test time requires a change in approach. Consider ways to simplify test setup, eliminate redundant aspects of your procedures and override failures. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 May 2019
Software tester roles must embrace code focus
IT gives testers license to voice contrarian opinions about software. But, as pressure to deploy intensifies, they might not be able to ignore code responsibilities anymore. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 May 2019
IT wrangles with test automation benefits and challenges
Test automation is a valuable practice, but it presents challenges for teams and individuals alike. A gradual approach to automation helps boost the odds of successful adoption. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Apr 2019
TestComplete vs. Katalon Studio: Test automation tool face-off
How many features do you need in a test automation tool? IT consultant Tom Nolle shares what users value most in these two automated front-end testing options -- and crowns a winner. Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2019
CloudBees' acquisition of Electric Cloud broadens focus
CloudBees folds in Electric Cloud and pledges to broaden its focus beyond Jenkins, while customers wait and see how that might impact long-term roadmap plans. Continue Reading
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Podcast
18 Mar 2019
Author, QA expert extols continuous testing virtues
Long tests and isolated QA grind app delivery to a crawl. In this episode of 'Test & Release,' author Eran Kinsbruner explains how DevOps cannot exist without continuous testing. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2019
Automate tests with attention to UI, rapid feedback and more
If your app-dev group just can't seem to get automated tests right, you're not alone. Here's how to implement an effective test automation strategy, one piece at a time. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Feb 2019
test harness
In software development, a test harness is a collection of software and test data used by developers to unit test software models during development. Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Feb 2019
3 ways to test in production promptly and productively
As much as Agile and DevOps changed development, they also shifted testers' roles -- to the right. Gerie Owen offers three ways to evaluate apps in production to find failures. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Dec 2018
How to create test data that yields accurate QA results
Testers need valid data to prevent app defects, which means they must simulate real data types and structure them as closely as possible. Don't fake it when you make it. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Dec 2018
Experts weigh in on DevOps transformation, QA topics
As the technology conference season winds down, sessions at Velocity and DevOps Enterprise Summit offer helpful insight for forward-thinking organizations. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Sep 2018
Craft an integration testing plan with quality before quantity
When it comes to integration testing, the end user is more important than the test volume. Increase test efficiency to please both application users and owners. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2018
SmartBear-Zephyr deal spotlights software quality tools shake-up
Competition has tightened in the software test market as vendors strategically acquire additional tools and align with developer ecosystem players. Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2018
Kubernetes community takes over massive Google test bed
Google will donate $9 million in GCP resources and undergo a three-year handoff process to put a massive Kubernetes test bed under CNCF control. Users wonder, what happens next. Continue Reading
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Podcast
21 Aug 2018
Learn the value of exploratory testing vs. scripted testing
In this podcast, testing expert Matt Heusser explains how exploratory and scripted tests differ and how they complement each other. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jun 2018
A QA team finds continuous testing benefits worth the effort
QA teams can gain a lot from continuous testing. While successful continuous testing requires all of an organization to get on board, the results are worth it. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 May 2018
10 important automated testing best practices to implement
QA and test pros give advice on how to craft software test automation strategies that can speed app deployment. They also share their criteria for choosing automated test tools. Continue Reading
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Quiz
01 May 2018
What do you know about continuous software development?
What's the difference between continuous development and deployment? Take the quiz to see if you can distinguish among all the continuous software processes. Continue Reading
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01 May 2018
Strategies to master continuous testing
This Software Development Training Center entry covers how to perform and improve continuous testing. Learn strategies to secure continuous delivery through proper testing methods. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Apr 2018
Automated security testing frees devs to prevent breaches
Common software security mistakes include testing at the last minute and not testing open source code and VMs. Expert Matt Heusser suggests ways to avoid these and other missteps. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Apr 2018
AI in software testing has arrived. Here's why robots rule.
AI promises to make software testing faster and much more accurate. New tools are available, but it will take time for artificial intelligence to become ubiquitous in testing. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Apr 2018
Bots know better: Maybe AIOps tools should drive your stack
As more IT tool vendors add AI capabilities, organizations are speeding up delivery and cutting waste, but a lack of integration and trust is holding back the intelligent stack. Continue Reading
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News
16 Apr 2018
Bharti Airtel overhauls test/dev with container infrastructure
Startup AppOrbit's approach to container infrastructure deployment beat out Red Hat's OpenShift as a large Indian telco overhauled its test environments for speedier development. Continue Reading
- 12 Apr 2018
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Tip
16 Mar 2018
Get the most out of continuous testing with Jenkins
With dev cycles shrinking all the time, Jenkins' compatibility continues to evolve. Set up Jenkins for effective CI/CD with quality plug-ins that enable continuous testing. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Mar 2018
Testing tools for continuous deployment
Continuous testing and integration are the basis for continuous deployment without disasters. Expert Tom Nolle discusses the steps for automated and regression tests. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2018
Four critical continuous testing components to implement
Rapid continuous delivery is unlikely to go off without a hitch, unless the team relies on continuous testing. Expert Justin Rohrman explains how to get it underway. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Jan 2018
What skills do Agile testers need?
The Agile team collaborates closely and makes a lot of changes. What does the ideal Agile tester possess in technical and people skills? Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Mar 2017
HPE Unified Functional Testing allows for application test automation
The HPE Unified Functional Testing platform provides users with interactive tools for creating and executing automated app testing tasks on desktop, mobile and web platforms. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Mar 2017
An overview of the eggPlant testing tool for test automation
The eggPlant testing tool provides developers and testers with software to create, schedule and execute automated testing and debugging tasks on a variety of mobile platforms. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Mar 2017
Exploring the three major types of software testing tools
Application testing tools make enterprises' app development more efficient. Learn more about automation, coverage and bug tracking tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Feb 2016
How to use Bugzilla bug tracking tool in software testing projects
The Bugzilla bug tracking tool allows DevOps teams to collaborate and report on defects present in apps and software projects in one interactive location. Continue Reading
