Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Test Everything Once
- 2. Usefulness Over Just Passing Tests
- 3. Clarity Over DRYness in Test Code
- 4. Keeping Test Stability a Priority
- 5. Choose Simplicity in Cypress Commands
- 6. Thoughtful Use of Plugins
- 7. Strategic Use of Wait Commands
- 8. Regular Review and Optimization
- 9. Naming Convention
- Conclusion
Introduction
Cypress is a powerful and popular end-to-end testing framework that has transformed the way developers and testers approach testing web applications. To make the most of Cypress and ensure that your test suite is efficient, reliable, and maintainable, it’s important to follow a set of best practices. In this blog post, we’ll dive into some best practices for using Cypress, combining insights from the Cypress team with our real-world experience. Whether you’re new to Cypress or looking to refine your testing strategy, these tips will guide you towards more efficient and effective testing.
1. Test Everything Once
Testing each feature or functionality once might sound simple, but it’s a principle that can significantly boost your testing efficiency. This approach avoids redundancy and keeps your test suite lean and focused. By ensuring each test case is unique and purposeful, you can cover more ground with fewer tests, reducing both the maintenance burden and the risk of overlapping failures. For example, test login feature once in login test and in the rest of the tests, log in programmatically.
2. Usefulness Over Just Passing Tests
It’s easy to fall into the trap of celebrating a green test suite without scrutinizing the value of those tests. We emphasize the importance of ensuring that each test is meaningful and contributes to your understanding of the application’s health. Regularly revisiting and questioning the purpose of your tests helps in maintaining a suite that’s not just passing, but truly useful. Make it your habit to revisit existing test suite few times a year to keep your tests up to date and useful.
3. Clarity Over DRYness in Test Code
While the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principle is a staple in software development, test code in Cypress benefits from a slightly different approach. We’ve found that prioritizing clarity and simplicity in test scripts, even at the expense of some repetition, enhances readability and maintainability. Especially with Cypress commands, straightforward and readable code trumps overly abstracted logic.
Cypress Suggestion: While Cypress commands are powerful, they are not always necessary for every action or assertion. Prioritize code clarity and readability over strict adherence to the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principle. Aim for tests that are easy to understand at a glance.
Recommendation: Keep your test code straightforward and self-explanatory. Write explicit test steps, even if it means some duplication, to make the test scenarios more accessible to both current and future team members.
4. Keeping Test Stability a Priority
Unstable tests can become a significant time sink. Ensuring the stability of your test suite should be a continuous effort. This involves strategies like selecting the right selectors, avoiding race conditions, and handling asynchronous behavior effectively. A stable test suite is a reliable foundation for continuous integration and delivery processes. Make sure your test is stable before merging it by running it multiple times.
5. Choose Simplicity in Cypress Commands
Cypress commands are powerful, yet they can be a double-edged sword. Emphasizing simplicity in your use of these commands can lead to more maintainable and less brittle tests. Strive for clarity and directness in your commands, reserving complex abstractions for cases where they add clear value.
Cypress Suggestion: Cypress provides a rich set of commands for interacting with elements and making assertions. However, these commands should be used judiciously.
Recommendation: In practice, you may find that Cypress commands, aside from simple DOM interactions, are primarily needed for actions like making API requests using cy.request(). Reserve their use for situations where they significantly simplify your test code or enhance its readability. Don’t add too many assertions to your custom commands to keep them clean and simple.
6. Thoughtful Use of Plugins
While plugins can extend Cypress’s capabilities, they should be used judiciously. Overreliance on plugins, like those for XPath support, can lead to a bloated and less maintainable test suite. Stick to native Cypress features where possible, and carefully evaluate the long-term impact of each plugin you consider adding.
7. Strategic Use of Wait Commands
The indiscriminate use of static wait commands is a common pitfall. In Cypress, waits should primarily be used for handling network requests or dynamic content loading. Even then, they should be employed sparingly, as Cypress’s automatic waiting mechanism handles most timing issues gracefully. Understanding when and how to use wait commands is crucial for efficient testing.
8. Regular Review and Optimization
A test suite is not a set-it-and-forget-it tool. Regularly reviewing and optimizing your tests ensures they remain effective and aligned with the application’s evolution. This involves refactoring outdated tests, removing redundant ones, and continuously seeking ways to improve the speed and reliability of your suite.
9. Naming Convention
Consistent and well-defined naming conventions play a pivotal role in enhancing code readability and maintainability. By adhering to a unified approach, such as using snake case for file names and camel case for variables, you will ensure a seamless and predictable experience when navigating through the entire project. This stability not only fosters collaboration but also minimizes the likelihood of confusion, making it easier for team members to comprehend and contribute to the codebase.
Conclusion
Combining these best practices with your unique experiences and insights will help you harness the full potential of Cypress in your testing strategy. Remember, the goal is not just to have a suite of passing tests, but to build a robust, efficient, and reliable testing process that truly enhances the quality of your software.