CI/CD pipelines & tooling
As a software tester, change in your work is the only constant, which is why the pursuit of stability and continuity is paramount. The crucial connection here is that the continuous stream of changes emphasizes the necessity for continuity. For this reason, in this blog, we will guide you through the intriguing world of CI/CD pipelines and tooling. With these technologies, you build a robust structure for consistently testing and integrating software, allowing you to effectively manage the ongoing changes in the software world.
What are CI/CD pipelines?
CI/CD, short for Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery, together form the backbone of the modern DevOps world. They create a cohesive framework wherein code is continuously integrated, tested, and prepared for release. Think of it as a conveyor belt in a factory: your code undergoes various testing and validation stages, to ultimately be delivered as a high-quality product.
You can also read about pyramid testing, mutation testing or exploratory testing.
Importance of testing in CI/CD pipelines
As a tester, you know that the core of every pipeline is testing. The continuous and automatic testing of code with each change (commit), ensures that you discover potential bugs and issues faster. This not only accelerates the development process, but it also elevates the software quality to a higher level. It’s a win-win!
What are the benefits?
There are several advantages of a CI/CD environment. We list 4 different points below:
Faster feedback from your team
With CI/CD, you get immediate feedback on your work. As soon as you commit code, it is automatically tested. So you can immediately see if there are any bugs or problems and fix them faster. That also means the quality of your product improves
Smaller changes, less risk
By making smaller changes regularly, rather than major updates after a long period of time, you run less risk of serious problems. If a problem does crop up, it will be easier and quicker to spot and correct
More efficient working thanks to automation
.CI/CD pipelines take a lot of work off your hands by automating the process of code integration, testing and deployment. This saves you a lot of time and increases efficiency. It gives you and your team more space to focus on designing and building the software, instead of manual tasks and troubleshooting after deployment.
More responsibility, better collaboration.
CI/CD creates a culture of transparency and shared responsibility. Every change, error and victory is visible to the whole team. This may be a bit confrontational at first and in some cases takes some getting used to. But in the end, it contributes to better collaboration. Why? Because everyone bears joint responsibility for the quality of the code and the end products!
How do you start setting up a CI/CD pipeline?
When you get started setting up a CI/CD pipeline, you start by selecting the right tool. Then you define the different phases of your pipeline, from integration to delivery. A well-planned pipeline is the difference between a smooth and structured release, and a chaotic, stressful launch.
How to start setting up a CI/CD pipeline?
If you're getting started with setting up a CI/CD pipeline, you start by selecting the right tool. Then, you define the different phases of your pipeline, from integration to delivery. A well-planned pipeline is the difference between a smooth, structured release, and a chaotic, stressful launch.
This is how you become a software tester!
Available tools
There are many tools that can assist you in setting up a CI/CD pipeline. For instance, there is Jenkins, an open-source tool packed with plugins. Additionally, there are GitLab CI and CircleCI, which offer you the benefit of cloud-based work. And then there is Travis CI, perfect if you're working with GitHub. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so it's essential to choose the tool that best suits your project and needs.
The role of the tester in a CI/CD environment
In a CI/CD environment, you, as a tester, stand side by side with developers. You are not only responsible for finding bugs but also play a crucial role in implementing tests in the pipeline, selecting the right tools, and refining test processes. Tip! It's essential to automate and integrate tests into your pipeline. But, don't forget to also make time for exploratory testing to detect unforeseen problems in time.
Taking your test process to the next level
CI/CD pipelines and tooling together form an exciting terrain filled with possibilities for you as a software tester. As a tester, you are also a crucial player in this process. So, dive in, experiment, and discover how CI/CD can elevate your test process to the next level! Do you want to learn more about this? Consider our e-learning TMap® Quality for cross-functional teams. During the course, you learn, among other things, all about this.
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