What do you do if your web application tests and debugging are slowing you down?

When your web application testing and debugging processes start to hinder your progress rather than help it, you're facing a common yet frustrating challenge. Slow and inefficient testing can be a significant bottleneck, especially when you're keen to deploy new features or fix critical bugs. The key is to identify the root causes and implement strategies that streamline your workflows, reduce repetition, and enhance the accuracy of your tests.

Find expert answers in this collaborative article

Selected by the community from 6 contributions. Learn more

1 Assess Speed

To address slow testing, start by evaluating your current processes. Examine the tools and methods you use for both automated and manual testing. Are they up to date and suitable for your application's complexity? Sometimes, the solution may be as simple as upgrading to faster, more efficient testing tools or trimming down test cases to the essentials. Consider parallel testing, where multiple tests run simultaneously, to reduce the time spent waiting for results.

Add your perspective

Lance Parkington

Software Developer at Jisc
Report contribution
Check hardware/software software as requirements constantly increase. Tests can use lots of resources and in the good old days server filled up sooner or later. This happens at a faster rate today and may have greater effects in future

Like
Gerrie Holtzhausen

DevOps Engineer
Report contribution
Debugging will slow you down at first. So accept it, as mostly for new projects you need to understand the flow and functionality of an application. Once you have identified the problem and initial flow should the future debugging time improve for the same application under test. Make sure you have sufficient knowledge of a tool in use, make notes of debugging encounters as your own personal knowledge base so you can revert to them in the future to have a quick resolution.

Like

2 Debugging Delays

Debugging can be a major time sink if not approached methodically. To optimize this phase, ensure that you're using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) with robust debugging tools. Breakpoints and step-through debugging can help you pinpoint issues quickly. Also, adopting a consistent coding style and using version control systems like Git can make it easier to track changes and identify when and where bugs were introduced.

Add your perspective

Lance Parkington

Software Developer at Jisc
Report contribution
Use robust coding blocks so most code is reused and needs less debugging. Issues in Unit Tests are most easily dealt with. Integration Tests can be more challenging. Also consider carbon neutrality of development. Too much storage and CPU can make it difficult to reach net zero targets moving forward. It may be worth re-designing/re-building apps now rather than later

Like

3 Refine Tests

Refining your test cases is crucial for efficiency. Focus on creating clear, concise, and targeted tests that cover critical functionalities. Avoid redundant or overlapping tests that contribute little value. Utilizing test management tools can help organize and prioritize test cases, making it easier to identify which tests to run for a given change in the codebase. Remember, more tests don't necessarily equate to better coverage.

Add your perspective

Lance Parkington

Software Developer at Jisc
Report contribution
Dependencies can be difficult to debug. Take care with libraries that can age too quickly in today's challenging settings. Most code can be written by someone else so delve into popular packages and see if they are really are as efficient/effective as expected.

Like

4 Automate Wisely

Automation is a powerful ally in speeding up testing, but it's not a cure-all. Selectively automate tests that are repetitive, time-consuming, and prone to human error. Keep in mind that maintaining automated tests requires effort, so balance the initial time investment against the long-term benefits. Use Continuous Integration (CI) tools to automatically run tests upon code commits, ensuring immediate feedback on the impact of changes.

Add your perspective

Lance Parkington

Software Developer at Jisc
Report contribution
Think of all the processes and procedures used in development/production. Traditionally these have been mostly manual. It is one thing using CI/CD but what about Admin? Permission Setting etc? Roll-out? online updates? If users have to do anything for maintenance that is too much

Like

5 Foster Collaboration

Encourage collaboration among your development team. Pair programming, where two developers work on the same code at one workstation, can help catch bugs early. Code reviews are another collaborative practice that can prevent issues from reaching the testing phase altogether. By fostering a team culture of open communication and shared responsibility for quality, you can reduce the burden of testing and debugging on any single individual.

Add your perspective

Lance Parkington

Software Developer at Jisc
Report contribution
Open communication is not enough. People need to want to communicate and move forwards. There are differences between generations and corporate influences that may make difference between success and failure. This involves huge changes people may not be comfortable with. Experiment and take care of yourself as others and companies will only look at their bottom line

Like

6 Simplify Complexity

Lastly, consider simplifying your application's architecture if possible. Complex systems are harder to test and debug. By breaking down your application into smaller, more manageable components (a practice known as microservices architecture), you can isolate issues more effectively. This not only makes testing each part easier but also allows for more targeted debugging when problems arise.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

What do you do if your web application tests and debugging are slowing you down?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Speed

2 Debugging Delays

3 Refine Tests

4 Automate Wisely

5 Foster Collaboration

6 Simplify Complexity

7 Here’s what else to consider

Web Applications

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Web Applications

More relevant reading

What do you do if your web application tests and debugging are slowing you down?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Speed

2 Debugging Delays

3 Refine Tests

4 Automate Wisely

5 Foster Collaboration

6 Simplify Complexity

7 Here’s what else to consider

Web Applications

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills