Low Code Platforms: Ace App Testing with Smart Strategies

 

 

Low-code platforms have revolutionized the way software is built, enabling rapid application development with minimal coding, often through a graphical user interface. This approachallows developers of varying experience levels and skills to create applications for web and mobile using drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic. As the adoption of low-code platforms accelerates, it’s crucial to understand the implications for testing these applications. 

 

How does Low Code Development Impact Testing? 

 

The advent of low-code development accelerates the application creation cycle, necessitating a surge in the agility and responsiveness of testing methodologies. However, this rapid development is hampered by the dearth of skilled automation engineers, leading to a bottleneck in the development and upkeep of automated testing. The velocity of low-code iteration demands constant updates to test scripts, inflating maintenance costs and complicating the design of comprehensive end-to-end automation tests.  

 

This complexity often results in a heavier reliance on slower manual testing methods, which in turn decelerates the feedback loop to developers, potentially stalling the benefits of quick deployment that low-code platforms advocate. Simultaneously, the low-code model, which aims to reduce development costs, puts additional pressure on testing teams to devise cost-effective, efficient strategies without compromising quality, thus demanding a significant recalibration of existing testing processes to match the brisk pace of low-code development cycles. 

 

The Shift in Testing Paradigms 

 

In traditional software development, testing is a complex process that often requires deep technical and functional knowledge. Testing is typically divided into different stages, such as unit, component, and functional tests, each addressing different layers of the application. 

 

1. Unit Testing:

• The most granular level of testing, where individual components (such as methods in Java or C# are tested in isolation. It’s a white box testing method, meaning the tester has an internal perspective of the system and designs test cases accordingly. It often doesn’t require formal test cases and is usually conducted by developers. Frameworks like Junit, Nunit etc are created for this purpose.  

 

2. Component Testing:

• This is a more intermediate level of testing that may involve black-box or white-box testing methods. It’s sometimes called module or integration testing and may require test cases, especially when the testing involves complex business logic. Here, developers and testers collaborate to ensure that various components of the application work together correctly. 

 

3. Functional Testing:

• At this level, the application is tested against the functional requirements. It’s typically a black box testing method, which means the tester only knows the inputs and the expected outcomes, not the internal workings of the application. This type of testing is essential to ensure that the application does what it’s supposed to do from an end-user perspective. 

 

Low-code platforms impact these testing stages by changing who performs the tests and how they are executed. The low code platforms often enable developers to perform more testing due to the visual nature of the development process. But again, developers may not get sufficient time for testing and the responsibility of ensuring quality is often pushed to the testing team.  

 

Testing in the Low-Code Context 

 

In low-code environments, testing must adapt to the visual and model-driven development paradigms. While some aspects of testing remain, there are unique considerations for low-code applications: 

 

Unit Testing: Selective Application in Low-Code :

 

Unit testing, though often a fundamental aspect of traditional development testing strategies, finds limited application in low-code scenarios. Its purpose is to validate the correctness of code at the most granular level. However, with the utilization of declarative tooling characteristic of low-code platforms, the need to test vendor-supplied code bundles is generally obviated. The exception to this is when custom code is introduced to extend out-of-the-box functionalities. Here, unit testing regains its relevance, ensuring that the newly integrated code operates as intended. 

 

Component Testing: Bridging the Gaps in Low-Code :

For low-code projects, component testing emerges as a critical new form of testing. This middle ground between unit and functional testing gains importance as the complexity or risk associated with business logic escalates. It involves testing isolated segments of business logic, often constructed via high-level formula syntax or visual modelers, which may otherwise be underestimated. For example, developers might dissect and test the individual inputs contributing to a complex Return on Investment (ROI) calculation to affirm each segment’s accuracy. Component testing becomes imperative when the intricacy of business logic necessitates verification beyond what is visually modelled. 

 

Functional Testing: The Keystone of Low-Code Testing : 

Regardless of the nuances of the development platform, functional testing remains the cornerstone of any low-code testing strategy. This mode of testing is universal across low-code scenarios, entailing rigorous end-to-end testing of application functionality. It is the essential safeguard to ensure that the application performs as expected from an end-user perspective. The demand for robust functional testing is intensifying, aligning with the increasing reliance on low-code platforms for application development and deployment. 

 

Challenges and Strategies for Low-Code Testing 

 

Despite the facilitation of development, low-code platforms present unique challenges for testing. To address these challenges, organizations can adopt the following strategies: 

 

Customized Testing Strategy: 

 

 

When developing low-code applications, the level of testing required can vary greatly depending on the complexity and customization of the app’s logic. In scenario one, where an app is built with simple declarative logic and no custom code, sticking to functional testing alone might suffice.  This means just checking if the app does what it’s meant to do from the user’s perspective. However, if you step up to scenario two, with complex declarative logic but still no custom code, you’ll want to add component testing into the mix to ensure each segment of the app’s logic stands up to scrutiny.  

 

Finally, scenario three brings custom code into play. Here, you’ll need the full suite of testing: unit testing for individual pieces of code, component testing for interactions within the app, and functional testing for overall performance. In this case, it’s wise to make use of any available open source or commercial tools to help streamline the testing process. 

 

Leverage Codeless Automation Tools:  

To boost the speed of your low-code app testing, lean on the power of testing automation. Choose tools that can accelerate the creation and upkeep of your automation scripts, especially those that come with artificial intelligence features. For instance, AI-powered ‘Self-Healing’ can be a game-changer. It automatically adjusts your scripts to keep up with any frequent updates to your app’s user interface, saving you time and hassle. There are plenty of tools out there, like Tricentis Tosca, AccelQ, Opkey, and Functionize, that are designed to meet these automation needs. By using these advanced tools, you can make your testing process quicker and more efficient. 

 

 Collaborate with Business SMEs:  

 

Involving business subject matter experts (SMEs) early in the testing process of your low-code project is crucial. One should also in keep in mind that many of the code application development projects and programs are directly managed by the business team. By bringing them in at the beginning stages, you ensure that the application aligns perfectly with business requirements. These experts can help craft relevant test cases that reflect real-world scenarios, ensuring the app truly serves its intended purpose. Alongside this, placing a strong emphasis on User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is vital, especially considering the swift development cycles typical of low-code platforms.  

 

UAT acts as the final checkpoint, catching any potential issues that might have slipped through earlier testing phases. It’s all about making sure the app not only works technically but also meets the end-users’ needs and expectations. By combining the insights of business SMEs with thorough UAT, you can confidently launch an application that not only functions seamlessly but also deliver real value to its users. 

 

Concluding Insights: Elevating Testing in the Era of Low Code Platforms

 Low-code testing requires a different mindset compared to traditional software testing. Testers must adapt to the platforms’ visual and model-driven nature and leverage integrated tools and collaborative strategies to ensure comprehensive coverage.  As low-code platforms continue to mature, the testing processes and tools will likely evolve. The key to successful low-code testing lies in understanding the platforms’ capabilities and limitations and developing a testing approach that complements the speed and agility of low-code development.