3 July 2024 Leave a comment QA
Automated GUI tests are a crucial component of ensuring software quality. However, they often encounter known issues that have been reported but not yet resolved. These issues can cause tests to fail, leading to confusion and inefficiency. In this article, we will explore the best practices for managing these known issues without compromising the integrity of your test suite.
Should You Edit Tests to Pass?
Editing tests to pass by commenting out verifications is not advisable. This approach masks the defects, giving a false sense of software quality. It is essential to continue running the tests and allowing them to fail on these known issues. This practice provides continuous data, highlighting that the problems are still unresolved. Additionally, when the issues are eventually fixed, the tests will pass, offering a clear indication of progress.
Implementing Known Issue Flags
One effective strategy is to build the ability to flag a failure as a “Known issue.” These flags can be reported with each test run, providing a clear distinction between new failures and known issues. This approach ensures that the known issues are documented and tracked without interfering with the overall test results.
Maintaining Test Integrity
It’s crucial to ensure that known issues do not block deeper testing. Regularly review the failing points to confirm they are still related to the low-priority problems initially reported. If these issues hinder broader testing efforts, consider raising their priority to unblock further testing.
Advanced Reporting Techniques
For a more sophisticated solution, consider using annotations or tags to categorize and track known failures. For example, you can use a @KnownFailure annotation in your tests, which requires a ticket number for tracking. This method allows for better organization and reporting, making it easier to manage and review known issues.
Practical Example
Let’s consider an example where a low-priority display issue causes a test to fail. Instead of commenting out the verification, you can flag this failure as a known issue. This flag will be reported alongside other test results, clearly indicating that this failure is expected and documented.
Conclusion
Managing known issues in automated GUI tests is a balancing act. By flagging known issues, maintaining test integrity, and implementing advanced reporting techniques, you can ensure that your test suite remains robust and reliable. This approach not only highlights unresolved issues but also provides clear data points for when these issues are eventually fixed.
For those looking to streamline their test automation process, consider using tools like Repeato. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android that simplifies the creation, execution, and maintenance of automated tests. Its computer vision and AI capabilities make it particularly fast and efficient, helping you manage known issues and maintain high-quality software standards.
For more information on setting up and using Repeato, check out our documentation and blog.
