Continuous testing

Continuous testing is the process of running automated tests at every stage of the software development lifecycle to make sure quality stays high at every stage. It integrates testing into the CI/CD pipeline to offer quick feedback on code changes and identify issues early. 

An example of continuous testing is integrating automated tests into a CI/CD system like Jenkins.

Every time a developer pushes code changes, the system runs unit, integration, and regression tests automatically. If a test fails, developers receive immediate feedback that lets them address the issue before it becomes more ingrained in the codebase. 

Continuous testing is important because it ensures faster delivery of high-quality software. It reduces the risk of defects reaching production by identifying them early in the pipeline. Continuous testing also lets teams release updates more frequently and confidently, which aligns nicely with agile and DevOps practices. 

Challenges with continuous testing include the need for a robust infrastructure to support automation and the time required to develop and maintain reliable test scripts. Plus, teams need to make sure their tests run quickly. If not, there’s a real risk of bottlenecks in the CI/CD pipeline. Proper planning, tool selection, and test prioritization can help address these issues.