What do oxygen and integration testing have in common? We need them. And we barely think about them.
Integration tests are a part of any project. They have become such a staple of software testing services that they kind of went backward. We don’t pay much attention to them. They’re just there for proper product functionality. They’re obligatory. And that’s that.
But there’s a big difference between using something because you have to and using something because you want it to matter.
Today, we talk about making your integration testing a merit, not a check box.
Know Your Integration Tests & Their Quirks
To this day, there’s still a bit of confusion on the subject of unit vs integration testing. What exactly defines a unit within a system? How many elements should integration tests include? Most definitions in the IT sector have an arbitrary taste to them. But it all gets worked out in practice.
Thus, our QA experts have highlighted the value of clearly defining what an integration test is. Because doing so gives you a few perks:
- Enhanced test coverage via a more comprehensive testing strategy.
- Increased efficiency via proper resource allocation.
- Advanced quality by understanding what integration tests should do and how to achieve it.
- Mitigated development risks with precise expertise selection.
The better you know something, the better you can apply it. So, let’s get to it.
- Unit testing involves testing individual components of code in isolation to ensure they function correctly.
- Integration testing verifies the interactions between different components of code to secure their combined operations.
In short, unit tests deal with the smallest testable elements within a system. Integration tests group a few of them together to see how they communicate. For a more in-depth look at this legendary duo, feel free to check the article below. But for now, let’s focus on system integration testing best practices.
In the context of unit vs integration testing, there’re two primary points our team emphasizes:
- Running unit and integration tests separately.
- Leaving business logic for unit tests.
Developers rely on fast feedback from unit tests to check their code. If your project assigns devs to run both unit and integration testing, they might get overwhelmed. In case test execution turns too time-consuming, developers may skip both of them. And we all know that won’t do your product any good.
So, maintain separate test suites for unit and integration tests. Devs can run quick unit tests during development and pre-commit. And longer integration tests will be executed, too, although less frequently.
On a similar note, integration tests are rather complicated. They take much longer than unit tests. It’s harder to pinpoint where an issue occurred. And they need more preparation and data. That’s why it’s better to run unit testing with every build and include integration testing for daily builds. You’ll spend less time on testing, developers will get feedback faster and will be able to fix issues quicker.
In light of the above, you might also consider appointing QA engineers to do integration tests. Your development team will be much less strained and more focused on the tasks at hand. And QA specialists can design better integration tests and advance your software’s quality to new levels.
Plan & Prepare with Care
At this point, it’s a bit funny how often one of these best practices for integration testing is brought up. Yet, it’s also almost amusing how often this one is skipped.
There’re so many useful systems integration testing concepts, practices, and tools. But some companies still treat integration testing like:
- This is integration testing.
- It’s run before unit and after system testing.
- It’s executed to check how software modules cooperate.
- And we’ll do precisely that (and nothing more with it).
With how much resources and effort is put into most digital products, every procedure should pull its weight. But it’s only possible when you prepare a setting in which it can do so. And it all begins with an advantageous prototype. By that we mean:
- Developing a comprehensive plan for the integration testing process.
- Outlining the scope, objectives, resources, and methodologies that work for your project.
- Identifying the components to be integrated and defining the testing environment.
Adequate planning ensures that testing efforts are well-coordinated and targeted toward specific goals. And this will be one of the most influential investments in your project’s success.
So, treat your integration tests with due diligence. And they will return the favor.
Make Integration Testing An Early Bird
This integration testing best practice is very simple and potent. Begin early to avoid headaches and worries later. Here’s how it works.
#1. Beginning integration testing sooner rather than later reduces the chances of crummy deadlines. For example, you can be pretty swamped during development. And there’s a possibility of your team just not having enough time to run adequate tests.
#2. Starting integration testing early lets your experts detect and address issues sooner. This translates to reducing the likelihood of costly rework later in the development cycle. For instance, you can initiate integration testing as soon as individual components are available for testing.
#3. Early integration testing promotes agility and responsiveness. It enables your crew to iterate quickly and solve errors proactively. And that means accelerated time-to-market and higher-quality software.
This point will be especially helpful if you work on a project that relies heavily on databases and involves sophisticated data interactions. And we’d say that one of the primary database integration testing best practices is to plan ahead. Because when you deal with, say, ERPs or CRMs, there’s so much to consider that introducing integration tests later simply would have no tangible value.
But, of course, you have some leeway regarding how soon to run integration testing. You know your project best, after all. Still, the general rule of thumb – if you can do it now, do it.
Divide & Conquer – Test in Portions
We’ve already mentioned that integration tests are more time-consuming and intricate (compared to unit tests). Because of these traits, it’s also much harder to locate the cause of an issue.
- Integration testing covers databases, APIs, external services, etc., making it difficult to isolate a reason for failure.
- Also, problems in one component may cascade to interconnected elements, complicating the debugging process.
That’s why an optimal approach, especially among API integration testing best practices, is to break down the tests into smaller, manageable batches. For instance, instead of integrating and testing all API endpoints simultaneously, you can focus on testing a subset of endpoints related to a specific user flow or feature.
This way, your team’s efforts will be more focused. And by gradually integrating components, they can insulate and address bugs more effectively.
Double Team’s Performance with Test Doubles
Test doubles are used to simulate the behavior of dependencies and external systems during integration testing. They include:
- Stubs.
- Mocks.
- Fakes, etc.
For example, a stub can simulate a database response. And it allows developers to test interactions without relying on a live database.
Why should you use these “doppelgangers”? There’s a couple of reasons.
- With test doubles, integration tests can focus solely on components’ interactions. And you eliminate the influence of external factors.
- This isolation ensures that integration tests accurately reflect system behavior. Plus, it provides greater control over test scenarios and edge cases.
- Also, test doubles are often simpler and faster than their real counterparts. This leads to quicker execution and swift feedback.
This best practice for integration testing is sometimes overlooked since real dependencies provide more accurate behavior and interaction evaluation. And if you’re worried about that, why not combine both? You can rely on test doubles and introduce real dependencies for high-risk or critical areas. So, you get to have your cake and eat it too.
Log a Lot & Look for the Little Things
Integration tests have a rather intricate functional flow. They encompass multiple software modules as well as various devices and hardware components. As a result, precisely spotting the cause of an issue needs more work.
That’s why logging is your best bet. You can track the flow of data and identify integration errors by relying on detailed documentation. And “detailed” is key here. Logging for the sake of logging can become a performance block. So, log comprehensively, but only when needed.
- Implement comprehensive logging mechanisms to capture relevant information during integration testing.
- Regularly review and analyze logs to identify anomalies, bottlenecks, and integration failures.
Your team will find troubleshooting and debugging much easier. And you’ll foster transparency and accountability in your experts.
Automate Integration Testing with Precise Goals
The best approach to automation is to take it with a grain of salt. First, you should assess whether you actually need it. Second, define what it can do for you and how you’ll be applying it. And third (arguably the most important), implement automated testing services that can make automation worth your while.
Automated testing only works when it’s done right. So here, prioritize working with true experts in the field.
Yet, generally, you should automate when:
- There’s a lot of integration tests to cover.
- Your product is complex.
- You release frequently.
- There’s not enough QA engineers.
- You’re planning on scaling.
If any of the above sounds familiar – automation is the obvious choice. You can streamline the testing process and ensure reproducible results. And run tests quickly and repeatedly, reducing manual effort.
Overall, when introduced properly, automation has no downsides. Your teams will have more time for value-adding tasks. Your time-to-market will shrink. And your users will enjoy your software’s refined quality.
For automated integration testing best practices, check out the article below and make automation a catalyst for your product’s breakthrough.
Turn Your CI & Integration Testing Into Best Buds
If you employ CI/CD practices, merge integration with them. If you wait for testing to finish before proceeding, you’ll just waste time. This ordeal will be simply counterproductive with shorter release cycles typical for CI/CD. And altogether, it’s among continuous integration testing best practices to not leave out integration tests from this powerhouse of an approach.
So, execute integration tests during the CI process to immediately address any issues.
- You’ll be able to run integration consistently with every code shift.
- And you can use tools to trigger integration tests automatically whenever new code is pushed to the repository.
Plus, you get an underappreciated bonus as a result. By running integration tests automatically, you ensure that all members work towards a common goal based on a clear understanding of system behavior. And so, you foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Run Integration Tests Systematically
We’ve talked about this in one of our previous articles. Integration testing isn’t a one-time deal. Nor is it a “do it when you remember about it” thing.
Integration tests should be run regularly and consistently throughout the development.
- You’ll maintain the integrity of the system.
- Secure proper behavior under different conditions and configurations.
- And maintain confidence in the product.
Also, with accumulated feedback you’ll be able to advance your testing processes and team’s skills. And this, in fact, should be among your priorities.
Work With Experts Who Know What You Need
Integration tests are certainly not as elaborate as, say, E2E or ad-hoc testing. But it doesn’t mean you should treat them as something lesser. If you neglect integration testing, well, that’s not a very good trend to set.
For example, for many projects, it’s acceptable when developers run integration tests. But they might have limited skill and time. And you’d be compromising your devs’ professional well-being and product quality.
Also, integration testing best practices are not taken too seriously because of these tests’ status, so to speak. They’re so common that we tend not to pay them due attention.
But people who know their sector understand that there’re no shortcuts in QA services. So, strive to cooperate with a QA company that has the knowledge to realize your goals with grace. That’s the only way you’ll make your integration testing services work.
True QA pros have the tech stack and capabilities to give integration tests the love they deserve. And this love will have a visionary impact on your product.
To Sum Up
The reason behind having integration testing best practices is not to enforce something on every project. These conventions are backed up by real-world experiences and years of practice. Yet, at the same time, it doesn’t mean that you need to use only them. You should rely on them as a baseline. And sprinkle in some details that benefit your product specifically.
So, you can trust best practices. But you shouldn’t feel trapped by them. Use them. Experiment. And strive for something more. That’s how you’ll make a product people genuinely love.