How many times it happens that the code changes have been deployed to the production server, but schema changes are not rolled out and it has resulted in chaos?
How many times you could not reproduce the scenarios on test servers that is producible on production servers?
How many times do your applications crash when you tweak the back-end layer?
It is the bad database which can be the culprit in these scenarios. To ensure these problems do not occur, it is necessary to have a sound database and data processing in place for every application development enterprises to avoid the chaos and repercussions.
This process of verifying the accurate functioning of data and data processing is database testing or data validation testing.
With varying complexities and heterogeneous environments, enterprises utilize different forms of strategies and tests in place. In this age, wherein we talk about data sizes in terabytes and petabytes, it is really difficult to form the testing strategy based on manual testing. Thus, there has to be some form of automation for sure.
Database test automation ensures maximum test coverage, allowing users to validate different aspects of the database which may include - data validation, schema verification, security checks, data certification, and cross checking with UI test results. Also, when it comes to repeated testing, automation helps performing them in an optimum time-frame without burning a hole in your pocket. Plus, automation testing for database also solves several challenges which traditional testing fails to solve.
With product development going agile, testing cycles need to cope up with frequent releases. Since manual testing cannot serve the objective of fast turnaround time signing off the build, automation is a must and testing data segment is inevitable. Automating database testing solves challenges of frequent releases and updates.
A lot of projects start with really a disciplined development and gets into a spaghetti pattern over a period of time if automated checks are not being kept. The reasons and excuses could be larger teams, scarce time to release, missing code reviews, changing team members and some such. Unless automated watchers are kept, maintenance aspects of the project will suffer. Thus, test automation rescues teams by enforcing better standards and practices of testing.
With ever changing requirements and fast release cycles, it gets really tough to check if an addition of a feature has broken an existing feature or not. Frequent changes in database schema need to be properly tested and test automation helps avoid any such unpleasant surprises.
Any inadvertent shifts to data or information as a result of data warehousing, retrieval or action on mission critical data operation, including despiteful attacks, surprising hardware failures and human error is failure of data integrity. Recurring and rigorous continuous tests are required to monitor this aspect.
For an enterprise application under test, there are multiple vendors contributing to meet the storage requirement of an application. Also, there are multiple layers through which a test needs to pass like Dev, QA, pre-production and production. Performing the same activity repeatedly leads to boredom and inaccuracy. This objective can be achieved with automation testing.
An issue not getting produced in a staging environment, but is there on production environment and is badly affecting the brand and the revenue of the system. In this case, if automated checks are in place, it will definitely allow identifying whether it is the issue with code for latest deployment or whether it is related to data.
Database testing is not always about checking things developers have prepared. It is something which can help you perform your tasks faster and allow performing better. With people, processes and technologies, surely there is a direct and indirect benefits of automating database testing. However, understanding of the organization’s strategic and business objectives as well as an investment in the right automation tool is crucial to reap the benefits.
Looking for the right automation tool to jumpstart automated database testing? Download TestingWhiz.
