Stabilize Acceptance Tests

by ADMIN 27 views

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Introduction

Acceptance tests are a crucial part of ensuring the quality and reliability of software applications. However, many acceptance tests fail, and the ones that pass cannot run on a standardized environment. In this article, we will discuss the importance of stabilizing acceptance tests and provide a comprehensive guide on how to achieve this goal.

Ideally, the Majority of Tests Should

  1. Pass: The primary goal of acceptance testing is to ensure that the application meets the required specifications and behaves as expected.
  2. Be able to run on the exact same setup: This ensures that the tests are repeatable and can be run consistently across different environments.
  3. Only create the bare minimum in terms of additional Terraform resources: This helps to minimize the overhead of creating and managing test resources.

Tests Refactored So Far

The following tests have been refactored so far:

  • TestAccClient_persistence
  • TestAccClient_noPersistence
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereComputeClusterHostGroup_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereComputeCluster_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereComputeCluster_absolutePathNoDatacenter
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereContentLibraryItem_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereContentLibrary_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereCustomAttribute_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatacenter_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatacenter_defaultDatacenter
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatacenter_getVirtualMachines
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_absolutePathNoDatacenter
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_getDatastores
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatastoreStats_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatastore_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatastore_noDatacenterAndAbsolutePath
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDatastore_getStats
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDistributedVirtualSwitch_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDistributedVirtualSwitch_absolutePathNoDatacenterSpecified
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDistributedVirtualSwitch_CreatePortgroup
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDynamic_regexAndTag
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDynamic_multiTag
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDynamic_multiResult
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereDynamic_typeFilter
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereFolder_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereGOSC_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereHost_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereHost_defaultHost
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereHostThumbprint_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereLicense_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereNetwork_dvsPortgroup
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereNetwork_withTimeout
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereNetwork_absolutePathNoDatacenter
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereNetwork_hostPortgroups
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereResourcePool_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereResourcePool_noDatacenterAndAbsolutePath
  • AccDataSourceVSphereResourcePool_withParentId
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereResourcePool_withParentIdAndNamePathError
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereResourcePool_withParentIdAndMissingNameError
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereResourcePool_withInvalidParentIdError
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereResourcePool_withParentIdAndNotFoundNameError
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereResourcePool_defaultResourcePoolForESXi
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereResourcePool_emptyNameOnVCenterShouldError
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereRole_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereRole_systemRoleData
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereTagCategory_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereTag_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereVAppContainer_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereVAppContainer_path
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereVirtualMachine_basic
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereVirtualMachine_noDatacenterAndAbsolutePath
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereVirtualMachine_uuid
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereVirtualMachine_moid
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereVirtualMachine_nameAndFolder
  • TestAccDataSourceVSphereVmfsDisks_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterHostGroup_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterHostGroup_update
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_haAdmissionControlPolicyDisabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_drsHAEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vlcm
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanDedupEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanCompressionEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanPerfEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanPerfVerboseEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanPerfVerboseDiagnosticEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanUnmapEnabledwithVsanEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanUnmapDisabledwithVsanDisabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanDITEncryption
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanEsaEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_faultDomain
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_vsanStretchedCluster
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_explicitFailoverHost
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_rename
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_inFolder
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_moveToFolder
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_singleTag
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_multipleTags
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_switchTags
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_singleCustomAttribute
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_multipleCustomAttribute
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeCluster_switchCustomAttribute
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMAffinityRule_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterMAffinityRule_updateEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMAffinityRule_updateCount
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMAntiAffinityRule_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMAntiAffinityRule_updateEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMAntiAffinityRule_updateCount
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMDependencyRule_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMDependencyRule_altGroup
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMDependencyRule_updateEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMDependencyRule_updateGroup
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMGroup_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMGroup_update
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMHostRule_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMHostRule_antiAffinity
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMHostRule_updateEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereComputeClusterVMHostRule_updateAffinity
  • TestAccResourceVSphereContentLibraryItem_localOva
  • TestAccResourceVSphereContentLibraryItem_remoteOvf
  • TestAccResourceVSphereContentLibraryItem_remoteOva
  • TestAccResourceVSphereContentLibrary_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereContentLibrary_subscribed
  • TestAccResourceVSphereContentLibrary_authenticated
  • TestAccResourceVSphereCustomAttribute_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereCustomAttribute_withType
  • TestAccResourceVSphereCustomAttribute_rename
  • TestAccResourceVSphereCustomAttribute_changeType
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatacenter_createOnRootFolder
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatacenter_createOnSubfolder
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatacenter_singleTag
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatacenter_modifyTags
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatacenter_singleCustomAttribute
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatacenter_modifyCustomAttribute
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_basic
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_sdrsEnabled
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_rename
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_inFolder
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_moveToFolder
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_sdrsOverrides
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_miscTweaks
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_reservableIops
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_freeSpace
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_singleTag
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_multipleTags
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_switchTags
  • TestAccResourceVSphereDatastoreCluster_singleCustomAttribute *

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Q&A

Q: What is the primary goal of acceptance testing?

A: The primary goal of acceptance testing is to ensure that the application meets the required specifications and behaves as expected.

Q: Why is it essential to run acceptance tests on a standardized environment?

A: Running acceptance tests on a standardized environment ensures that the tests are repeatable and can be run consistently across different environments.

Q: What is the significance of minimizing the overhead of creating and managing test resources?

A: Minimizing the overhead of creating and managing test resources helps to reduce the complexity and cost of testing.

Q: How can I ensure that my acceptance tests are stable and reliable?

A: To ensure that your acceptance tests are stable and reliable, you should:

  • Refactor your tests: Refactor your tests to make them more efficient and easier to maintain.
  • Use a testing framework: Use a testing framework to help you write and run your tests.
  • Test on a standardized environment: Test on a standardized environment to ensure that your tests are repeatable and consistent.
  • Monitor and analyze test results: Monitor and analyze test results to identify and fix issues.

Q: What are some common issues that can cause acceptance tests to fail?

A: Some common issues that can cause acceptance tests to fail include:

  • Inconsistent test data: Inconsistent test data can cause tests to fail or produce unexpected results.
  • Test environment issues: Test environment issues, such as network connectivity problems or resource constraints, can cause tests to fail.
  • Test code issues: Test code issues, such as bugs or incorrect assumptions, can cause tests to fail.
  • External dependencies: External dependencies, such as third-party libraries or services, can cause tests to fail if they are not properly configured or integrated.

Q: How can I troubleshoot and fix issues with my acceptance tests?

A: To troubleshoot and fix issues with your acceptance tests, you should:

  • Identify the issue: Identify the issue causing the test to fail.
  • Analyze the test results: Analyze the test results to understand the cause of the issue.
  • Debug the test code: Debug the test code to identify and fix any bugs or incorrect assumptions.
  • Test on a different environment: Test on a different environment to ensure that the issue is not specific to a particular environment.

Q: What are some best practices for writing and maintaining acceptance tests?

A: Some best practices for writing and maintaining acceptance tests include:

  • Write tests before writing code: Write tests before writing code to ensure that the code meets the required specifications.
  • Keep tests simple and focused: Keep tests simple and focused to ensure that they are easy to maintain and understand.
  • Use a testing framework: Use a testing framework to help you write and run your tests.
  • Test on a standardized environment: Test on a standardized environment to ensure that your tests are repeatable and consistent* Monitor and analyze test results: Monitor and analyze test results to identify and fix issues.

Q: How can I ensure that my acceptance tests are up-to-date and relevant?

A: To ensure that your acceptance tests are up-to-date and relevant, you should:

  • Regularly review and update tests: Regularly review and update tests to ensure that they remain relevant and effective.
  • Test new features and functionality: Test new features and functionality to ensure that they meet the required specifications.
  • Test for regressions: Test for regressions to ensure that changes to the code do not introduce new issues.
  • Use automated testing tools: Use automated testing tools to help you write and run your tests.

Q: What are some common challenges associated with acceptance testing?

A: Some common challenges associated with acceptance testing include:

  • Test complexity: Test complexity can make it difficult to write and maintain tests.
  • Test environment issues: Test environment issues, such as network connectivity problems or resource constraints, can cause tests to fail.
  • Test code issues: Test code issues, such as bugs or incorrect assumptions, can cause tests to fail.
  • External dependencies: External dependencies, such as third-party libraries or services, can cause tests to fail if they are not properly configured or integrated.

Q: How can I overcome these challenges and ensure successful acceptance testing?

A: To overcome these challenges and ensure successful acceptance testing, you should:

  • Use a testing framework: Use a testing framework to help you write and run your tests.
  • Test on a standardized environment: Test on a standardized environment to ensure that your tests are repeatable and consistent.
  • Monitor and analyze test results: Monitor and analyze test results to identify and fix issues.
  • Use automated testing tools: Use automated testing tools to help you write and run your tests.
  • Regularly review and update tests: Regularly review and update tests to ensure that they remain relevant and effective.