Posted on Author Pallavi Godse Categories Blog

Unlocking Efficiency: Key Advantages of Test Automation

Unlocking Efficiency: Key 


Advantages Of Test Automation

test-automation

Introduction:

In today’s dynamic software development landscape, the pursuit of excellence in quality assurance and testing has never been more critical. Test automation stands as a formidable ally in this quest, offering a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond the conventional advantages of simply speeding up testing processes.

 Reusable Test Assets

At the heart of test automation’s efficacy lies its remarkable ability to create reusable test assets. In the ever-evolving world of software, where applications are constantly updated, enhanced, and expanded, the need for consistency in testing cannot be overstated. Automated test scripts and components are architected with modularity in mind, allowing testing teams to craft a library of reusable testing artefacts. This means that once a test script is created, it can be employed across various test scenarios, irrespective of the scope and complexity. This not only obviates the need for the redundant recreation of test cases but also ensures uniformity in testing practices, a pivotal factor in reducing human error and enhancing overall test reliability.

Early Detection of Regressions

One of the most notable merits of test automation is its capacity to serve as an early-warning system for software regressions. In the software development lifecycle, as new features are implemented or existing code is modified, the spectre of regressions looms large. Automated tests are the vanguard in guarding against this menace. By effortlessly rerunning tests post source code changes, automation provides developers with immediate feedback regarding the impact of their alterations. This early detection of regressions affords a unique advantage—bugs and defects are identified and addressed at a nascent stage, well before they can infiltrate and disrupt the broader system. Consequently, the cost associated with remedying defects in later stages of development is significantly diminished.

Parallel and Concurrent Testing

In the age of diversification, where users access software across an array of platforms, devices, and configurations, the ability to execute tests concurrently and in parallel is a game-changer. Automation excels in this arena. Automated test scripts can be seamlessly executed across a multitude of test environments simultaneously. Whether it’s different web browsers, operating systems, or device types, automation effortlessly scales to cater to the diversity of the digital landscape. This parallel and concurrent testing capability not only expedites test cycles but also enriches test coverage, ensuring that the application’s functionality is validated across a broad spectrum of real-world scenarios. It’s a unique advantage that redefines testing efficiency in a multichannel, multitouch point world.

Data-Driven Testing for Variability

The art of testing doesn’t merely encompass routine scenarios; it thrives on variability and challenges presented by boundary conditions and diverse data inputs. Test automation is uniquely equipped to navigate this intricate terrain through data-driven testing. Automated tests systematically apply a mixture of data inputs, including extreme cases and boundary values, to analyse the application’s response under varied scenarios. This methodical approach transcends manual testing’s limitations and empowers testers to assess the robustness of the application against unpredictable or volatile input variables. Data-driven testing becomes a compelling tool in identifying potential vulnerabilities, ensuring that the software exhibits resilience and unwavering performance under a plethora of conditions.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) Support

As organisations embrace the principles of DevOps and agile methodologies, the imperative to seamlessly integrate testing into the CI/CD pipeline becomes paramount. Test automation rises to this challenge with unwavering versatility. Automated tests can be seamlessly married into the landscape of CI/CD workflows, where they stand as vigilant gatekeepers, ensuring that software changes are rigorously tested before they venture into the production environment. This harmonious fusion of testing and development significantly reduces the likelihood of defects reaching the end-users, providing a level of assurance that is unparalleled in the realm of software quality. It also begets the invaluable benefit of accelerated release cycles, as the delivery of software becomes not just faster but also more dependable.

In conclusion, the advantages of test automation extend far beyond efficiency gains;
they resonate with the very essence of software quality assurance. They enable the creation of an agile and resilient testing ecosystem, where consistency, accuracy, and reliability reign supreme. By embracing the in-depth benefits of test automation, organisations not only fortify their software against defects but also empower themselves to lead the charge in delivering impeccable digital experiences to their users.

Ravi Gumpu

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Posted on Author Pallavi Godse Categories Blog

Why Should Companies Invest in IT Solutions in Australia? 

Why Should Companies Invest 


in IT Solutions in Australia?

 In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses all over Australia are constantly seeking ways to stay ahead of the competition, reduce operational costs, and enhance productivity. One of the key strategies to achieve these goals is by adopting Managed IT Solutions in Australia.  

These innovative services provide a comprehensive approach to managing a company’s IT infrastructure, ensuring that it remains secure, efficient, and adaptable to evolving technology trends.  

What Are Managed IT Solutions? 

 Managed IT Solutions, often referred to as Managed IT Services, involve the outsourcing of IT development, management, and support to a specialised provider. They offer a range of services, including app development, testing services, network management, project management, business analysis cybersecurity, data backup and recovery. Managed IT Solutions in Australia can be customised to meet the specific needs of each business, whether it’s a small startup, a mid-sized company, or a large enterprise. 

The Benefits of Managed IT Solutions in Australia 

Cost Efficiency:  Managed IT Solutions allow businesses to reduce their IT operational costs. Instead of hiring an in-house IT team, companies can opt for a subscription-based model that offers predictable monthly expenses. This cost-saving approach enables businesses to allocate their financial resources more efficiently. 

Enhanced Security:  Cybersecurity is a top concern for businesses today. Managed IT Solutions in Australia provide robust cybersecurity measures to protect against data breaches, malware, and other cyber threats. With the continuous monitoring and rapid response capabilities of MSPs, companies can maintain a strong defense against cyberattacks. 

Proactive Maintenance:  MSPs take a proactive approach to IT management. They monitor systems for issues, potential vulnerabilities, and performance enhancements. This proactive maintenance minimizes downtime, prevents unexpected disruptions, and keeps operations running smoothly. 

Scalability:  Businesses in Australia often encounter fluctuations in their IT needs. Managed IT Solutions can scale up or down according to the evolving requirements of the business. This flexibility ensures that companies only pay for the services they use, making it a cost-effective solution. 

How Managed IT Solutions in Australia Can Benefit Your Business? 

Now that we’ve discussed the advantages of Managed IT Solutions, let’s consider how these services can benefit your business in Australia: 

Focus on Core Competencies  By outsourcing to experts, your business can focus on its core actions and strategic initiatives. This not only improves productivity but also allows for better resource allocation. 

Access to Expertise  Have access to a team of experienced IT professionals who stay up to date with all recent industry trends and technologies. This expertise ensures that your IT infrastructure is in capable hands. 

 Reduced Downtime: Downtime can be costly for any business. With MSPs constantly monitoring your systems, they can quickly address issues before they escalate, minimising downtime and potential revenue loss. 

Compliance and Regulation Managed IT Solutions in Australia are well-versed in local regulations and compliance standards. This expertise ensures that your IT infrastructure adheres to industry-specific requirements, lowering risk of legal issues. 

In conclusion, Managed IT Solutions in Australia offer a strategic advantage for businesses looking to optimize their IT operations, reduce costs, and enhance security.  

 If you’re seeking to streamline your IT management and stay competitive in the Australian market, consider integrating Managed IT Solutions into your business strategy. Don’t miss out on the opportunities that this powerful technology solution can provide for your organisation’s success.

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Posted on Author Pallavi Godse Categories Blog

.Net, Machine Learning & AI

.Net, Machine Learning & AI

Introduction:

The fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) have seen remarkable growth and innovation in recent years. Industries are leveraging these technologies to enhance their applications and provide smarter, more intuitive user experiences. One such powerful toolset for developing AI and ML-driven applications is .NET. In this blog, we will explore the synergy between .NET, machine learning, and AI, along with a practical example that demonstrates their capabilities.

Artificial Intelligence:

Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. In other words, artificial intelligence (AI), is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from experience.

 AI applications include advanced web search engines (e.g., Google Search), recommendation systems (used by YouTube, Amazon, and Netflix), understanding human speech (such as Siri and Alexa), self-driving cars (e.g., Waymo), generative or creative tools (ChatGPT and AI art), automated decision-making, and competing at the highest level in strategic game systems (such as chess and Go).

Machine Learning:

Machine learning is a subset of AI, which enables the machine to automatically learn from data, improve performance from past experiences, and make predictions. Machine learning contains a set of algorithms that work on a huge amount of data. Data is fed to these algorithms to train them, and based on training, they build the model & perform a specific task.

Understanding .NET:

.NET is a versatile framework developed by Microsoft, designed to build a wide range of applications for various platforms such as Windows, web, mobile, cloud, and IoT. It provides a rich set of libraries, tools, and languages that simplify the development process, making it easier for developers to create robust and scalable applications.

Empowering Applications with Machine Learning and AI:

Machine learning and AI empower applications to learn from data, detect patterns, and make intelligent decisions. By incorporating machine learning algorithms and AI models into .NET applications, developers can create intelligent systems that can analyse vast amounts of data, gain insights, and automate tasks that were once manual and time-consuming.

ML.NET:

//Step 1. Create an ML Context var ctx = new MLContext();   //Step 2. Read in the input data from a text file for model training IDataView trainingData = ctx.Data     .LoadFromTextFile<ModelInput>(dataPath, hasHeader: true);   //Step 3. Build your data processing and training pipeline var pipeline = ctx.Transforms.Text     .FeaturizeText(“Features”, nameof(SentimentIssue.Text))     .Append(ctx.BinaryClassification.Trainers         .LbfgsLogisticRegression(“Label”, “Features”));   //Step 4. Train your model ITransformer trainedModel = pipeline.Fit(trainingData);   //Step 5. Make predictions using your trained model var predictionEngine = ctx.Model     .CreatePredictionEngine<ModelInput, ModelOutput>(trainedModel);   var sampleStatement = new ModelInput() { Text = “This is a horrible movie” };   var prediction = predictionEngine.Predict(sampleStatement);

ML.NET is a free, open-source, and cross-platform machine learning framework for the .NET developer platform. With ML.NET, you can create custom ML models using C# or F# without having to leave the .NET ecosystem. ML.NET lets you re-use all the knowledge, skills, code, and libraries you already have as a .NET developer so that you can easily integrate machine learning into your web, mobile, desktop, games, and IoT apps.

Practical Example: Sentiment Analysis with .NET, Machine Learning, and AI:

Let’s delve into a practical example to showcase the integration of .NET, machine learning, and AI. We will build a sentiment analysis application using these technologies, which can automatically analyse the sentiment (positive, negative, or neutral) of a given text.

Step 1: Dataset Collection:

To train our sentiment analysis model, we need a dataset that contains text samples labelled with their corresponding sentiment. We can utilize existing sentiment analysis datasets available online or create our dataset by manually labelling texts.

Step 2: Data Preprocessing:

Before training a machine learning model, it is essential to preprocess the data. This step involves cleaning the text, removing stop words, tokenizing, and converting it into a suitable format for model training.

Step 3: Model Training:

In this step, we employ a machine learning algorithm, such as Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machines (SVM), or Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), to train our sentiment analysis model. The .NET framework provides libraries such as ML.NET, which simplify the training and evaluation process.

Step 4: Model Integration:

Once the model is trained, we integrate it into a .NET application. Using the ML.NET library, we can load the trained model and make predictions on new text samples. This enables our application to automatically determine the sentiment of any given text.

Step 5: User Interface Development:

To provide a user-friendly experience, we develop a graphical user interface (GUI) using .NET technologies like Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) or ASP.NET. The interface allows users to input text and receive real-time sentiment analysis results.

Conclusion:

The integration of .NET, machine learning, and AI opens up endless possibilities for developers to create intelligent and data-driven applications. In this blog, we explored a practical example of sentiment analysis, where we leveraged the power of .NET to train a machine learning model and built an application that can analyse sentiment in real time. This is just one example of how these technologies can be combined to create innovative solutions. As technology continues to advance, the collaboration between .NET, machine learning, and AI will play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the future of software development.

References:

Microsoft Documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/dotnet/

ML.NET: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/apps/machinelearning-ai/ml-dotnet

Satinder Singh

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Posted on Author Pallavi Godse Categories Blog

Software Dev Blog

A Complete Guide to Using Clover – A Code Coverage Tool

Quite often we come across situations in the software development industry where we ensure that every single feature is tested before a release, but we still find something broken once the application is released into production. It can be either due to a couple of testers not creating all the test cases required, or missing the execution of a couple of existing tests during the regression cycle. This can be either a manually tested regression suite or an automated suite, we still run into the same problem, wherein the so-called test coverage is 100%, but we still find something broken once released.

To ensure the entire application code has been covered as part of the testing process we can use the Clover code coverage tool. In this blog, I will be focusing on using Maven as the build tool and will be using a sample java spring application. So this is how the tool works.

Basically, when the project is built, all the classes in the project get instrumented and these instrumented classes get packaged as part of the jar/war file. To keep it simple, you can think of instrumentation as the Java classes being slightly modified, to track which lines of the class are being traversed when the application is used. Along with the instrumentation, the clover.db registry is created, where the project structure and the details of all the classes are stored.

Now when you deploy this jar/war file, the instrumented classes are deployed, and the clover coverage recorder files are created. These .db files store the coverage information of which lines of code have been traversed when the application is in use.

Now let us try it out on a sample application.

You can download any public sample application available on Github to try it out. I have downloaded this publicly available application from Github: https://github.com/joakim666/spring-boot-spring-loaded-java8-example

Steps:

1. Add the below profiles section in the pom.xml of this project.

2. Build the application using the below command:

Once the build is done, you will find that an ‘instrument’ folder is created under your project and a ‘clover.db’ registry has been created. If you navigate into the classes folder (‘target\classes\hello’) you will also find that there are additional .class files created with _CLR4 appended. These are the instrumented classes.

3.Run the application using the below command from the project directory:

Once the application is started, you can see that there are additional clover .db files created having names such as ‘clover.db.liverec’, ‘clover.db6ivvjj_lkzicfyg’ etc. These files are used to store the details of which lines of code have been traversed in each of the classes when the user is using the application.

4. Now let us generate a Clover report before we use the application and see what the coverage looks like and what lines of code are covered. To generate a clover report we will first need the clover jar file. You can copy the clover jar from the maven repository ({your home directory}\.m2\repository\org\openclover\clover\4.4.1\clover-4.4.1.jar) and place it in your project directory. Once done you can run the below command.

5. You can now open ‘dashboard.html’ under the ‘CloverReports’ folder to view the coverage details. Here you can see that currently there would be only about 30–35% coverage, which would mainly be the code that was used to bring up the application. You can also see that the methods responsible for displaying the home page, login page etc have not been used yet (Highlighted in red).

6. Now navigate to the home page of the application using the URL http://localhost:8080/home. On the home screen click on the ‘here’ link that is displayed. This will take you to the login screen. Once done, generate the report once again using the command in step 4 and view the coverage information in the Clover report.

You can now see that the coverage percentage has increased from 30% to around 65%. Also, the ‘home’ method responsible for displaying the home screen, and the ‘login’ method responsible for displaying the login screen are shown as covered in your Clover report.

And this is how you can ensure that 100% of all your code has been tested, either manually or through automated capabilities, before releasing an application to the production environment without any margin for human error.

Clover also provides advanced capabilities for excluding specific packages, classes and sections of code such as the catch blocks. It also provides capabilities for capturing coverage in a distributed infrastructure as well.

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Posted on Author Pallavi Godse Categories Blog

Best Practices for Software Development 2023

Best Practices for Software Development 2023

Introduction:

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, software development continues to play a crucial role in shaping businesses and driving innovation. As technology continues to advance, software development practices evolve to meet the demands of an ever-changing landscape. As we delve into the year 2023, it is essential to identify and adopt the best practices that can help us stay ahead of the curve. This blog aims to highlight the key best practices for software development in 2023 and provide insights into how they can contribute to successful project outcomes.

1. Agile Development:

Agile development methodologies have gained significant popularity in recent years, and they remain one of the best practices for software development in 2023. Emphasising iterative and incremental development, Agile methodologies enable flexibility, adaptability, and rapid feedback loops. Popular frameworks like Scrum and Kanban provide structured approaches to managing projects, allowing teams to deliver high-quality software in shorter cycles.

2. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD):

The integration of code changes and their continuous delivery are paramount for maintaining a seamless development workflow. CI/CD practices enable automated build, test, and deployment processes, ensuring that software changes are regularly integrated into a shared repository. By automating these processes, developers can catch and fix issues early, resulting in faster delivery cycles and more reliable software releases.

3. DevOps Culture:

Collaboration between development, operations, and other stakeholders is crucial for successful software development projects. DevOps practices encourage the integration of development and operations teams, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and communication. By breaking down silos and automating infrastructure provisioning, deployment, and monitoring, DevOps practices enable faster time to market, improved quality, and better stability. Below image depicts various tools available today for DevOps practices.

4. Containerization and Microservices:

Containerization, using platforms like Docker and Kubernetes, allows developers to package applications and their dependencies into portable, isolated containers. This approach simplifies deployment, scalability, and maintenance. Microservices architecture complements containerization by breaking down applications into smaller, loosely coupled services, enabling easier development, scaling, and fault isolation.

What is Containerization: Containerization is a software deployment process that bundles an application’s code with all the files and libraries it needs to run on any infrastructure. Traditionally, to run any application on your computer, you had to install the version that matched your machine’s operating system. For example, you needed to install the Windows version of a software package on a Windows machine. However, with containerization, you can create a single software package, or container, that runs on all types of devices and operating systems. 

5. Security-First Approach:

With the growing number of cybersecurity threats, it is vital to incorporate security practices throughout the software development lifecycle. Developers should follow secure coding practices, conduct regular security assessments, and implement necessary measures such as encryption, access controls, and input validation. Staying updated on the latest security vulnerabilities and adopting secure coding frameworks helps protect sensitive data and maintain the trust of users.

6. Test-Driven Development (TDD):

Test-Driven Development is a methodology that emphasises writing tests before developing the corresponding code. By following TDD practices, developers can ensure that the software meets the required functionality and is thoroughly tested. TDD promotes code quality, reduces defects, and improves overall software design.

7. Cloud-Native Development:

Cloud computing has revolutionised the software industry, and in 2023, cloud-native development has gained significant traction. Cloud-native applications are built specifically for the cloud environment, leveraging its scalability, resilience, and agility. Microservices architecture, containerization (e.g., Docker), and orchestration tools (e.g., Kubernetes) are essential components of cloud-native development. Organisations are adopting cloud-native practices to improve scalability, reduce costs, and enhance deployment flexibility.

8. Code Review and Quality Assurance:

Code quality should be a top priority in software development. Implementing regular code reviews ensures that code is clean, maintainable, and adheres to coding standards. Peer code reviews help identify bugs, improve design, and share knowledge among team members. Additionally, automated testing practices, including unit tests, integration tests, and regression tests, contribute to overall quality assurance and reduce the likelihood of introducing new bugs.

9. Documentation and Knowledge Management:

Comprehensive and up-to-date documentation is essential for maintaining and evolving software systems. Developers should invest time in documenting code, APIs, architectural decisions, and system configurations. Adopting knowledge management practices, such as maintaining a centralised knowledge base or utilising wikis, helps preserve institutional knowledge and facilitates future development.

Conclusion:

As software development evolves, embracing the best practices for 2023 is essential to stay competitive and deliver high-quality software products. Agile methodologies, CI/CD practices, collaboration through DevOps, code review, quality assurance, security considerations, and cloud computing with microservices are key areas to focus on. By adopting these best practices, development teams can optimise their processes, reduce time to market, and deliver robust software solutions that meet user expectations in the ever-changing software landscape of 2023.

Satinder Singh

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