Test Environment: An Essential Component Of The DevSecOps Framework

 


What Is Test Environment?

A test environment can be defined as any space when an entire application or certain updated features undergoes several experimental uses. Regardless of the software development technique, testing is crucial. 

And a weak testing strategy in the DevSecOps framework can lead to bug-laden and error-prone final deployments. You can use several approaches to run a test, and most testing strategies utilise test environments or testbeds. 

In this article, we'll present everything you need to know about test environments. 

But before we start with the details of the test environment, let's understand the basics of various environments in the application development process.

Types Of IT Environments 

Typically, four types of IT environments are predominantly used in the software development process:

Development Environment 

In this environment, developers and application engineers develop the software codebase. In this environment, a software product/service transforms into an MVP (minimal viable product) from just a concept. 

Testing Environment

Testing environment involves specific software, hardware sets and network configurations required by the testing teams for executing test cases. Following are the components of the test environment: 
  • Test Data with testbeds 
  • Database Server 
  • Browser 
  • System & applications 
  • Network configurations 
  • Hardware including Server Operating System 

Staging Environment 

Staging environment involves a type of testing, where every work is completed in the development environment is merged into the built system. Staging environment is primarily used to automate the software compilation process before it is pushed forward into the production environment.

Production Environment 

The final environment where the developed application is deployed for your end-users. 

With the DevSecOps security structure, testing has become an integral part of every application development phase.

Types Of Application Testing Done On The Test Environment

System testing allows your developers to resolve bugs and remove vulnerabilities in the codebase without the pressure of the entire pool of live audience breathing down their necks. 

Following are the most common types of software testing performed on a developed application:
  • Performance tests- Measures how rapidly an app responds to an interaction 
  • System integration testing- Involves app integration testing where all database and communication of all the modules are tested during integration. 
  • Alpha tests- End-to-end testing of the application once the integration and complete and successful. This ensures the software has the relevant features and delivers performance per client/customer expectations. 
  • Beta tests- The updated application feature is released only to a certain pool of end-users to test the functionality and performance in the real world, gather feedback and fine-tune the application. 
Various DevOps tools help you automate the testing processes and achieve quality application features quickly. 

Importance of Application Testing And Test Environments

  • Having a well-structured and greatly designed test environment is critical to obtaining the best results from your test cases. 
  • A test environment offers the necessary set-up to execute your test case. Thus you get accurate feedback on the quality and performance of the application. 
  • With a test environment, you get a dedicated space for isolating the developed codebase and assessing the software behaviour. Thus, with a specifically dedicated environment, you don't need to worry about external activities from other IT environments influencing your test results. 
  • Additionally, a test environment functions as a replica of the production environment. You can replicate the real-world scenarios of the production environment and eliminate as many bugs as possible. 

What Is Test Environment Management? 

For correct set-up and functioning, test environments require deliberate actions and dedicated support. Test environment management involves certain principles, practices and tools to manage and maintain test environments. 

The activities under test environment management include: 
  • Information Management – Involves maintaining a central repository of test environments. 
  • Demand Management – Deals with test environment allocation of test environments to teams as per requirement. 
  • Supply Management – Involves new test environment creation. 
  • Environment Monitoring 
  • Housekeeping – Involves updating existing test environments or deleting outdated ones to prevent redundancy and storage issues. 
  • Incident Management – Deals with understanding, detecting and supporting issue resolution within a test environment. 
  • Problem Management – Involves data analysis and trends identification to detect and resolve issues. 
In the modern DevSecOps framework, test environment management has become a necessity.
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