Code Testing

Published: May 25, 2012 3 min. read
Svitla Team
By Svitla Team
Quality Assurance
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Time is the primary source of stress and pressure for developers. Writing intricate code can consume the bulk of the time allocated for a major project. Perhaps even more time-consuming, is the testing of that code and searching for errors. When an application is first developed, more often than not, it fails to work. Hours upon hours can be exhausted finding the error. The process is even more frustrating when it is discovered that one minor line of code is the source of the problem.

But new technology is saving developers hours (and sometimes days) by performing unit tests instead of manual line-by-line tests. A unit is considered the smallest part of an application that can be tested for functionality. The source code is grouped together with control data, usage procedures, and operating procedures; it is then tested to see that it behaves the way developers intended. Unit test framework technology can run full cycles of tests on desktops, servers, and even mobile platforms. Developers can also customize smaller tests and application program interface functions inside of a unit test, to save increasingly more time.

Similar to Selenium, which was a portable software testing framework used for web applications, Robotium is a new test framework that allows developers to write robust test cases for mobile applications. Specifically designed with Android in mind, Robotium can write function, system, and acceptance test scenarios for multiple device activities. The framework performs perfectly on Android with Java unit tests, and it can also work for iPhone applications with built-in unit tests. Combining unit test technology with GUI (graphical user interface) is also possible by using a unit test for the server functionality and core functionality. This will work for both the Android platform and the iPhone platform.

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These testing frameworks are comprehensive, include many popular programming languages, and can deploy on multiple browser platforms. Most importantly, unit testing with these frameworks saves invaluable time. Every hour spent unit testing saves ten hours of de-bugging time. This becomes important as the development of the application evolves. If a server developer changes something, the application code needs to be re-tested. If thirty or forty functions for the application program interface need to be manually tested, that could mean multiple developers testing the code for several days.

Unit test frameworks are freeing developers from the tedious and menial time constraints of manual code testing. These automated frameworks are the wave of the future for developers, making manual de-bugging history.

Written by
Svitla Team
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FAQ

What is code testing and why is it essential in software development?

Code testing is the process of verifying software to ensure it performs as intended and is free from errors. Since developers can make mistakes, catching them early will save a significant amount of time later on through manual debugging, hence the importance of code testing. Automated testing frameworks (such as unit tests) provide a quick affirmative answer about the code’s functionality, reduce stress during development, and make the process faster. In the end, good quality and reliable software is achievable through code testing; therefore, it has become an integral part of contemporary software development.

What are the main types of code testing used in software projects?

Unit testing is one major type of code testing. In unit tests, the smallest testable part of an application is verified to ensure it functions as intended. Unit tests are relatively easy to write and can be automated, thereby saving developers a significant amount of time. In addition to unit tests, mobile applications also utilize frameworks such as Robotium (for Android), which support functional, system, and acceptance test scenarios across various activities on the device. All these automated testing approaches can also be combined with GUI testing, ensuring both server and core functionalities work perfectly together.

How does automated testing differ from manual testing?

Automated testing differs significantly from manual testing in that it utilizes specialized frameworks to run comprehensive checks on code, rather than requiring developers to examine each line painstakingly. This approach drastically reduces the time spent on finding errors, as automated tools can perform complete cycles of tests on various platforms, including desktops, servers, and mobile devices. While manual testing is tedious and time-consuming, automated testing frees developers from these constraints, allowing them to focus on development rather than prolonged debugging. This efficiency makes automated testing a crucial advancement in modern software development.

What are some best practices for effective code testing?

For effective code testing, it is best to adopt automated unit tests at an early stage of the development cycle. This will make it easier to identify problems in the smallest parts of the application and save a significant amount of time later on. Great testing frameworks supporting different programming languages and deployment platforms would also be important. The frameworks should automate all repetitive testing tasks so that any change to the code, for example, updates made on the server side, can be re-tested efficiently without resorting to extensive manual efforts. Automated testing comes before debugging time; thus, better software quality is achieved.