Why does DevOps recommend shift-left testing principles?

Shift Left Testing

Developers can spot problems early in the development cycle and fix them before they reach the production environment by performing testing earlier in the process. Because faults are discovered early, developers do not waste time devising workarounds for faulty implementations, and operations teams are not tasked with maintaining a complex software in production. To improve application quality, developers can identify the root cause of issues and modify the application design or underlying components.

Another important advantage of shifting testing left is that testers are involved throughout the process, particularly during planning. As part of their usual work, developers take on a supplemental role as testers, learning automated testing technologies and running tests.

Testing gets ingrained in the development team's DNA, ensuring that software is built from the start with quality in mind.

DevOps recommends shift-left testing principles

Traditionally, application testing was done in the later stages of development before being handed over to security teams. If an application failed to meet quality standards, malfunctioned, or failed to meet other requirements, it was sent back to development for more changes. This resulted in major SDLC inefficiencies and was incompatible with DevOps techniques, which place a premium on development speed.

Shift left testing can detect and correct faults considerably earlier in the software development process. This sp the development cycle, enhances quality, and allows for a quicker transition to the security analysis and deployment stages.

Shift-left thrives when combined with two essential DevOps practices: continuous testing and development. Shift-left is crucial in a DevOps culture because:

• Teams quickly detect and report defects;

• Characteristics are released sooner;

• Software is of higher quality since it is believed early on;

• Overall, development is more efficient and takes less time.
  

However, without test automation, you won't be able to get the test coverage you need while shifting testing to the left.

Benefits of a shift-left principle

Shift-left testing is recommended by DevOps because it reduces total development time. Due to the move to the left, two critical DevOps processes are required: continuous testing and continuous deployment.

Adopting a left-shift technique has a number of advantages.

1. Automation

Shifting to the left increases your ability to automate testing. The following are some of the most important advantages of test automation:

• Human errors are more uncommon.

• Test coverage has been widened (multiple tests can be conducted at the same time)

• The ability of the testers to focus on more exciting and fulfilling activities

• Production issues are alleviated.

2. Delivery speed has been improved.

Getting started sooner allows you to complete tasks more quickly. Errors may be repaired considerably more quickly if they are found earlier in the production process.

• As a result, the period between releases could be cut in half.

• The quality of the software improves.

3. Higher levels of satisfaction

The faster software delivery with fewer defects is a significant benefit of the shift-left technique.

At the very least, the grins on your coworkers' faces should be enough to convince you that this is a wise option.

Conclusion

In the IT sector, the term "shift left" refers to performing quality assurance and testing jobs prior to the development phase. It's a method for lowering risks and improving software quality.

The premise behind shift left is that by performing quality assurance before going into production, you can find and repair defects before they go into production. Furthermore, shift-left is more about preventing problems than identifying them.

The shift left strategy emphasizes the need of developers focusing on quality from the beginning of a software development project, rather than waiting for faults and bugs to be discovered later in the SDLC. Shifting left also allows product teams to complete daily chores such as testing, feedback, and reviewing changes and progress.

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