What are some case studies on flaky tests?

What are some case studies on flaky tests?

Flaky tests are tests that sometimes pass and sometimes fail without any changes to the code. They can be frustrating! One notable case study is from Google, where they found that flaky tests caused significant delays in their CI/CD pipeline. They implemented strategies to identify and fix these tests, improving their overall testing efficiency.

What strategies did Google use to address flaky tests?

Google employed several strategies, including better test isolation, improved test reliability through retries, and enhanced logging to diagnose failures. They also encouraged developers to write more deterministic tests.

Can you give me another example of a company dealing with flaky tests?

Sure! Facebook faced similar issues with flaky tests in their mobile app development. They created a dedicated team to focus on test reliability, which involved analyzing flaky tests and refactoring them to ensure consistent results.

What are the common causes of flaky tests?

Common causes include timing issues, dependencies on external services, and shared state between tests. These factors can lead to inconsistent test outcomes.

How can I prevent flaky tests in my projects?

To prevent flaky tests, ensure tests are isolated, avoid reliance on external systems, and use mocking where appropriate. Regularly review and refactor tests to maintain reliability.