What is End to End Testing & Why is it Important_.pdf

Test Infrastructure & End-to-End Testing Cloud
What is End to End Testing & Why is it
Important?

What is End to End testing?
End-to-end (E2E) testing is a software testing method that examines an
application’s entire flow, in real-world user scenarios. It ensures all
components work together as intended, by validating the application’s
functionality from a user’s perspective. The purpose of end-to-end testing is
to uncover any errors or problems that could occur as various components of
the application communicate with one another.
Imagine testing a shopping website. E2E testing
would go beyond checking if you can add items
to a cart. It would simulate the entire purchase
process, from browsing products and logging in
to secure payment and order confirmation. This
approach helps detect issues that might arise
when various parts of the application interact.
This is exactly where E2E testing fits in the picture.
This type of testing covers all layers of the application stack, including the
user interface, business logic, data persistence, and external integrations. By
identifying and addressing issues related to system integration, data integrity,
and user experience, end-to-end testing helps ensure the reliability, stability,
and performance of the software before it is deployed to production
environments. Additionally, it provides stakeholders with confidence in the

system’s ability to meet business requirements and deliver value to
end-users.
Why is End to End (E2E) Testing Important?
E2E testing is an integrated test run that has to happen before the product is
certified to be released to the customers. It is necessary to make sure the sub
processes or individual functionalities fit into the bigger picture and deliver a
hassle free experience for the end-user. E2E testing provides a holistic
approach in validating an application’s functionality from the user’s view
point.
End-to-end testing is most effective
when it is integrated into the
development process, providing a
strong validation mechanism at key
points. Let us try to understand this
through an example. Consider a
scenario where a user wants to watch a
movie on an OTT app. For this to happen,
we see that most of the applications will have the following flow and each of
these steps are dependent on the previous one to work fine.
● Login: The test begins with a user logging into the OTT app using their
valid credentials. This verifies successful login functionality.
● Browse Content: The user browses the library using various methods like
browsing categories, searching for specific titles, or using the “Continue

Watching” row. This ensures smooth navigation, search functionality,
and content loading.
● Movie Selection: The user selects a movie to watch. The test verifies that
movie details like synopsis, cast, and trailer load correctly.
● Playback: The user starts watching the movie. This tests video playback
functionality, including smooth streaming, subtitles, and the ability to
adjust playback settings.
● Continue Watching: After watching for some time, the user pauses
playback and exits the app. The test verifies that the app remembers
the user’s progress and the movie appears in the “Continue Watching”
section when the app is reopened.
This is just a sample flow that covers the most basic functionality an OTT
application is expected to deliver. Further functionalities can be added to this
flow in order to have a wider test coverage. For example, downloading
content, multi-profile support, parental controls, network connectivity issue
handling, content missing error handling, and so on and so forth.
By performing all these E2E test scenarios, the OTT Platform can deliver a
robust, bug-free application to the end-users. This sort of testing can be
performed once all the features of the product are individually tested and are
integrated. Considering the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), End to
End testing can be performed after the development phase is completed for
that particular iteration and before the software is released to the end-users.
This serves as a gateway that ensures confidence in the product’s reliability
and behaviors.

Next, let’s look at the different types of end to end testing based on certain
categories as defined below.c
Different Types of End to End Testing
There are two main ways to categorize E2E testing approaches: by focus and
by automation level. Let’s break it down:
1. By Focus:
Horizontal E2E Testing: This approach focuses on testing a broad user journey
across various functionalities. Think of it as testing the entire checkout
process on an e-commerce website, from browsing products to placing an
order and receiving confirmation.
Vertical E2E Testing: This method goes deeper, concentrating on a specific
feature or functionality and making sure all its underlying components work
seamlessly together. For example, on the same e-commerce website, vertical
E2E testing might solely focus on the functionality of the shopping cart,
checking if items are added, removed, and quantities are adjusted correctly.
2. By Automation Level:
Manual E2E Testing: This traditional approach involves a human tester
manually navigating through the application, simulating user journeys, and
noting any issues encountered. Although it takes time, manual testing can be
valuable for exploratory testing or tasks that require human judgment.
Automated E2E Testing: This method utilizes automation tools and frameworks
to script user actions and automate test execution. It allows for faster and

more repetitive testing, which is ideal for regression testing or ensuring core
functionalities remain intact after code changes.
How to Perform End to End Testing?
End-to-end (E2E) testing goes beyond individual components testing in
software development, ensuring a seamless user experience from start to
finish. Below mentioned steps explains how to perform End to End testing:
Test Planning

● Before writing your test cases, define the scope for end-to-end testing.
Identify the essential features and functionalities you need to test, along
with the user journeys and interactions you want to validate. Don’t
forget to consider any risks and dependencies that may impact your
testing process. Defining your test scope will help you focus on testing
the most crucial aspects of your system while avoiding unnecessary
scenarios.
● Create a dedicated testing environment that closely resembles the
production setup. This ensures that tests reflect real-world conditions.
● Select End to End testing tools like Selenium, Cypress, or Appium based
on your application’s technology stack and requirements.
Designing and Developing Test Cases
● Once you define your scope, design and develop your test cases using
the user requirements and specifications as a guide. A well-crafted test
case should include a concise and descriptive title, a list of
preconditions and assumptions, a series of steps to follow, and an
anticipated outcome or result. Additionally, make sure to incorporate
any necessary data, parameters, or variables for your test case. The key
to a well-designed test case is that it should be straightforward to
comprehend, execute, and update.
● Focus on core functionalities and high-impact user journeys first. This
ensures that critical areas are thoroughly tested within time constraints.
Test Analysis and Execution

● Run your test cases manually or utilize automation tools for execution.
Automating your test cases can help you save time and effort, while
also boosting the reliability and consistency of your end-to-end testing
process.
● It’s important to have a strategy for when and how you run your test
cases. You can choose to run them before or after each deployment, on
a scheduled basis, or on demand. Additionally, it’s crucial to have a
strategy for monitoring your test cases. This can involve using
dashboards, reports, or alerts to keep track of their progress. By
regularly running and monitoring your test cases, you can ensure that
your system is functioning properly and address any problems or bugs
that arise.
Continuous Improvement
● Update and refine your test cases as the application evolves to reflect
changes and new functionalities. Consider integrating E2E tests into
your Continuous Integration and Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline. This allows
for automated testing with every code – commit or build, catching
issues early on.
● Continuously learn from test results and adapt your E2E testing strategy
to better address user needs.
By sticking to these guidelines and continuously improving your methods, you
can effectively conduct end-to-end testing and ensure your software
provides a smooth and user-friendly experience. Remember, end-to-end

testing is an ongoing journey, not a final destination. It’s a process that adapts
alongside your software, ensuring its quality and user satisfaction.
Test Scenario for End to End Browser Testing
Consider a mobile application that helps users search for jobs, manage
applications, and connect with potential employers.
Objective:
Perform comprehensive end-to-end (E2E) testing to ensure a seamless user
experience for all functionalities within the app.
Scope:
● User Registration and Login (including social media login)
● Job Search Functionality (filters, location, keywords)
● Job Details Display (accurate information, clear formatting)
● Application Process (resume upload, cover letter composition)
● Saved Jobs Management (adding, removing, organizing)
● Notifications and Alerts (new job matches, application updates)
● Messaging with Employers (in-app chat functionalities)
Testing Devices and Platforms:
● Android (various popular models and Android versions)
● iOS (various popular iPhone and iPad models, current and previous iOS
versions)
Test Scenarios

Successful User Journey: A user registers, creates a profile, searches for jobs,
applies for a position, saves interesting opportunities, receives notifications,
and starts a conversation with an employer.
Negative Testing: Test scenarios with invalid data entry, missing information,
network connectivity issues, server errors, and unexpected app behavior.
Accessibility Testing: Ensure the app is accessible for users with disabilities
(screen reader compatibility, text size adjustments, color contrast).
Performance Testing: Analyze app loading times, responsiveness, and battery
consumption under different user loads.
Deliverables:
● Detailed test reports documenting all executed test cases, including
passed and failed scenarios with screenshots and logs.
● Bug reports with clear descriptions of identified issues, steps to
reproduce, and severity levels.
Expected Skills:
● Experience with mobile app testing methodologies
● Knowledge of E2E testing principles
● Familiarity with Android and/or iOS testing frameworks
● Excellent communication and reporting skills
By conducting thorough E2E testing, we can ensure that this application offers
a user-friendly and reliable platform for job seekers to find their dream jobs.
Early identification and resolution of bugs will minimize app crashes, improve
user satisfaction, and enhance the application reputation in the market.

Unlike many other testing approaches, there are a few well known open
source frameworks which perform end to end testing. Below section talks
about the popular frameworks used for E2E testing.
End to End Testing Frameworks
The world of E2E testing offers a vast array of tools and frameworks to
conquer the user journey. Here’s a breakdown of some popular options to
consider for your testing needs:
Selenium: A pioneer in the E2E testing arena, Selenium boasts wide browser
support and language bindings for various programming languages like
Java, Python, C#, etc. Its flexibility allows for both manual and automated
testing, making it a versatile choice.
Cypress: This modern framework focuses on front-end testing, particularly
web applications. Cypress offers a user-friendly interface, built-in waiting
mechanisms, and a visual debugger – streamlining the testing process.
Appium: Designed for mobile app testing, Appium leverages Selenium’s core
functionalities to automate interactions across various mobile platforms (iOS,
Android, etc.). It allows you to test native, hybrid, and web mobile apps using a
single framework.
These are a few frameworks that are popular in the industry today. Now, let’s
see some best practices that are essential to be followed for end to end
testing.

Best Practices for End-to-end Testing
End-to-end (E2E) testing plays a vital role in ensuring
your software functions seamlessly from a user’s
perspective. Here are some key best practices to follow
for effective E2E testing:
● Always prioritize the user’s perspective. Focus on testing real-world user
journeys and functionalities they’ll encounter most frequently.
● Define the scope of your End to End testing based on critical features
and user workflows. This ensures efficient use of resources.
● Set up a dedicated testing environment that closely resembles the
production setup. This minimizes surprises when deploying the
software.
● Write clear, concise, and easy-to-understand test cases. Use
descriptive names and steps to facilitate future updates and
collaboration.
● Automate repetitive and time-consuming test cases using a chosen
End to End testing framework. This frees up time for more exploratory
testing.
● Monitor test execution, record results, and generate comprehensive
reports for future reference. This aids in identifying trends and analyzing
test effectiveness.
● Integrate security considerations into your E2E testing strategy. Simulate
potential attacks and identify vulnerabilities before deployment.

● Every testing cycle offers valuable insights. Analyze results, identify
areas for improvement, and adapt your End to End testing strategy for
better coverage and efficiency.
End to End testing is a journey, not a destination. By following these best
practices and continuously refining your approach, you can ensure your
software delivers a flawless user experience from start to finish. With this, now
let’s see how TestGrid comes into the picture of End to End testing.
Conclusion:
End-to-end (E2E) testing is a comprehensive method that validates an
application's functionality by simulating real-world user scenarios. It ensures
that all components, from the user interface to the backend, work seamlessly
together. This type of testing helps uncover errors in system integration, data
integrity, and user experience, ensuring a reliable and stable product. E2E
testing is critical before release, as it provides confidence that the software
meets business requirements and delivers value to users. By focusing on user
journeys, automating repetitive tasks, and continuously improving test cases,
teams can ensure software quality and a smooth user experience.
Source: This article was originally published at testgrid.io

What is End to End Testing & Why is it Important_.pdf

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