The test methodology for web components is becoming increasingly important compared to conventional UI tests. Applying a new approach that takes the user perspective more into account can significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of software projects. Tools such as Cypress and Playwright make it possible to test front-end applications in isolation and offer versatile options for integration into existing test processes. Challenges and successes in the implementation of these new test strategies provide valuable insights and show which trends and developments can be expected in the test landscape.
In this episode, I talk to Felix Wunderlich from Volkswagen about web component testing versus UI testing. Felix shares his experiences and shows the benefits of a new approach that better reflects the user perspective and increases efficiency. We discuss the use of tools such as Cypress and Playwright to test frontend applications in isolation. Felix reports on the challenges and successes of implementing this approach and gives insights into future developments in his testing environment.
"The main point is actually that with every change, no matter how small, we can be sure that our UI as a whole still works as it should from the user's perspective." - Felix Wunderlich
Felix Wunderlich is a passionate software developer with a particular fondness for functional programming, testing and complex problems. He studied computer science with a focus on software engineering, IT security and human computation at LMU Munich. Since 2018, he has been working as a software engineer at the Software Development Center of Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg.
UI testing plays a crucial role in the software development process. It allows you to check the user interface of your applications and ensure that it meets user expectations. Test automation in this area not only improves efficiency, but also contributes to software quality.
In this article you will learn about the following aspects:
The goal is to provide you with practical information and perspectives to deepen your understanding of UI testing and facilitate its implementation into your development process.
Web components are reusable building blocks that enable developers to create complex user interfaces efficiently. They play a central role in modern web design as they promote modularity and flexibility. By using web components, teams can create consistent UI elements that can be used in different projects.
However, testing web components comes with specific challenges:
Various approaches are available to meet these challenges:
By integrating these strategies, web component testing becomes not only more effective, but also more practical for development teams who value quality.
What are UI tests?
UI tests (user interface tests) appraise the user interface of an application from the perspective of the end user. They differ from traditional component testing, which often tests isolated parts of the application. UI tests simulate real user scenarios and evaluate the behavior of the entire application, while component testing focuses on individual, isolated functions.
Implementing UI testing not only increases software quality, but also optimizes the entire development process. The early detection and elimination of problems increases the stability of the application. This creates a solid foundation for future developments.
To take full advantage of these benefits, test automation is a crucial step. Test automation with Selenium in particular has proven to be extremely effective. It enables precise testing and can be easily integrated into existing projects. To learn more about the basics and techniques of test automation, I recommend the book Basiswissen Testautomatisierung.
Choosing the right test automation tools is crucial to the success of UI testing. Playwright and Cypress are two of the most popular tools on the market to help developers effectively test their user interfaces.
The user perspective plays a crucial role in software application testing. By understanding the needs and expectations of users, testers can ensure that the software developed is not only functional, but also user-friendly. The following aspects illustrate the importance of this perspective:
By putting themselves in the user's shoes, testers can identify potential problems that may arise during normal use.
Tests based on realistic user scenarios provide valuable insights into the actual use of the software. This not only tests the functionality, but also improves the user experience.
User feedback is another important factor that influences test strategies. It enables developers to make changes based on the experiences of real users. The integration of feedback leads to:
Focusing on the user perspective during testing thus has a direct influence on quality assurance and makes a decisive contribution to the creation of high-quality software solutions. Test automation, as practiced today, significantly increases efficiency in quality assurance. Modern approaches are revolutionizing software development and enabling testers to focus more on the user perspective.
In addition, the transition to open source test automation can be a valuable strategy. This approach not only increases efficiency, but also significantly reduces manual intervention.
Felix Wunderlich describes the exciting process of migrating from end-to-end testing and component testing to UI testing within VW Software Development. The decision to move away from traditional testing methods arose from the need for greater efficiency and a better user perspective.
The implementation brought with it various challenges:
To overcome these hurdles, the following approaches were pursued:
These measures not only led to faster test times, but also to higher software stability and quality.
The future of testing in companies like Volkswagen is promising. As UI testing becomes more widely accepted, innovative methods and best practices are being developed that can significantly improve quality assurance.
Some of the key best practices for effective UI testing include:
Spreading these best practices across the industry will be crucial to ensure high software quality. In the coming years, companies are expected to focus more on user-centered testing methods to meet the requirements of modern web applications. The acceptance and integration of such strategies could lead to UI testing becoming a standard practice in software development.
Summarizing the findings shows that UI Testing plays a central role in the software development process. The advantages are manifold:
The implementation of UI tests, as demonstrated at Volkswagen, has the potential to significantly increase software quality. With tools such as Playwright and Cypress, developers can test efficiently and ensure that their applications meet user requirements. Ultimately, this not only leads to higher user satisfaction, but also to less costly rework in later development phases. UI testing is therefore an indispensable part of modern software development.
Companies should follow these best practices for UI testing: Start with clear test objectives and define the most important user interactions. Use automated testing for recurring scenarios, while manual testing for complex, undefined specific features. Integrate testing early in the development process to detect errors at an early stage. Pay attention to different devices and screen sizes to ensure a consistent user experience. Finally, test results should be documented and appraised regularly to enable continuous improvement.
UI testing is the process of testing an application's user interface for functionality and usability. It is important because it ensures that users have a positive experience and that all functions work as expected. Through UI testing, errors can be detected and corrected at an early stage, which increases user satisfaction. It also supports quality assurance and prevents "undefined" problems from entering the production environment. This ultimately protects the company from potential losses and improves the software overall.
One of the biggest challenges in testing web components is the undefined dependency on different browsers and devices, which can lead to inconsistent behavior. In addition, the interaction with third-party services is often complex, which makes testing more difficult. State management within components can also cause problems if tests do not cover all possible states. Finally, a lack of documentation and standards can make testing more complicated.
UI testing offers the advantage that it checks the user interface in realistic usage scenarios, while conventional component testing often only tests isolated functionalities. As a result, UI tests also capture the user experience, which is crucial for the acceptance of the software. In addition, they can uncover problems in the interaction between different components that may go unnoticed in "undefined" component testing. These tests promote better customization to user needs and ensure the quality of the application from the end user's perspective.
Playwright and Cypress are tools for automated testing of web applications. Playwright supports multiple browsers and platforms, while Cypress is specifically optimized for testing web applications in Chrome and similar browsers. A key difference is that Playwright also works in headless environments and can enable multi-tab scenarios, which Cypress does not offer. Both tools have their strengths, but the choice often depends on the specific requirements of the project and the desired support for undefined.
The user perspective can significantly improve quality assurance in the test process by ensuring that the software meets the actual needs of the users. User feedback and usability testing identify weaknesses at an early stage. By evaluating the application from the user's perspective, testers can take real-life usage scenarios into account and optimize usability. This increases the likelihood that the software will function effectively and efficiently. In this context, the concept of "undefined" also becomes relevant, as it helps to identify unexpected problems from the end user's perspective.
Companies should observe the following best practices in UI testing: Define clear test objectives and test early to catch bugs early. Use automated tests for repetitive tasks to save time. Consider different devices and browsers to ensure comprehensive coverage Conduct usability tests to improve the user experience. Implement regular updates and feedback loops. Use undefined tools to support the test process. Document results thoroughly to encourage learning and adaptation. These measures increase quality and user satisfaction.