E2E Testing: The Comprehensive Guide
Tags: testing, e2e, testautomation, softwaretesting
Published: 2023-07-20 06:18:05

Are you ready to take your software testing game to the next level? Look no further than "E2E Testing - The Comprehensive Guide"! This guide will walk you through everything you need about end-to-end testing, from the basics to the nitty-gritty details. So let's dive in and get started!

## What is (End to End) E2E testing?

End-to-End (E2E) testing is software testing that checks an application's functioning from start to end. It involves evaluating how various components interact to ensure everything works as planned. The purpose of E2E testing is to discover and avoid any difficulties before it is released to the public.

Let's take an example of a food delivery app. This application's [End to End testing](https://testsigma.com/end-to-end-testing) would include every step, from placing the purchase to payment to delivery. Testers must check that the user interface is functional, that the order is processed successfully, that the payment gateway is operational, and that the food is delivered to the correct place. The team can be sure that the application will operate as intended in a real-world environment by completing E2E testing.

In summary, E2E testing is an important part of software development, ensuring that an application works properly from start to finish. 

## Why is end-to-end testing important?

Here are some reasons why end-to-end testing is so important:

i. Ensures that the application works properly in a real-world setting. Aids in identifying and preventing problems before the program is published.

ii. Discovering issues early in the development cycle saves time and money in the long run.

iii. Increases user happiness by ensuring that the program functions as planned. It aids in the development team's and the application's confidence.

iv. Validates that all application components are correctly linked and operating together. Assists in ensuring that the application fulfills all standards and regulations.

v. It raises the overall application quality and decreases the probability of costly and time-consuming rework.

End-to-end testing is essential since it ensures that the program satisfies the highest quality, functionality, and user satisfaction criteria.

## Should end-to-end testing be automated?

End-to-end testing should be automated when it is sure to give an ROI.

Some benefits of test automation include: - efficient and speedier testing- decreasing in the time and effort necessary to complete the testing process.

an ROI on automated testing is possible if ‘cost of automation’ is less than the ‘cost of manual testing’ (here, the cost involves all the costs of money, efforts, and resources).

## End to End Testing Tools: 3 Tools for Automating E2E 

Many tools are available for automating end-to-end testing, each with strengths and weaknesses. Here are three popular tools:

i. **Testsigma:** Testsigma is a codeless end-to-end testing platform that accelerates and optimises test automation. It allows testing across different platforms and browsers and provides easy English NLPs for developing automated tests. Testsigma also delivers thorough reporting and analytics, making it simpler to detect errors and track progress over time.

ii. **Selenium:** Selenium is a popular tool for performing end-to-end testing. It is open-source and supports a wide range of programming languages, making it a versatile and adaptable alternative. Selenium can automate web application testing across different browsers and platforms.

iii. **Appium:** Appium is a popular solution for automating end-to-end mobile application testing. It supports both the iOS and Android platforms and enables testing on numerous devices simultaneously. Appium also supports multiple programming languages and has comprehensive reporting and analytics capabilities.

The key to successful end-to-end testing automation is to choose the right tool for your needs, whether it be Testsigma, Selenium or Appium, or another. Ensure the tools align with your testing needs.

## E2E testing checklist

Here's a checklist of some of the key items to consider when conducting end-to-end (E2E) testing:

i. **Identify the specific user flows and scenarios to be tested:** 

It is important to identify key user flows and scenarios before beginning E2E testing to ensure that testing is focused on the most critical areas and covers all necessary functionality.

ii. **Ensure that all necessary components and dependencies are included in the testing process:** 

E2E testing involves testing the complete program from beginning to end, so it is essential to include all relevant components and dependencies in the testing process. Databases, APIs, third-party integrations, and other components may be included.

iii. **Use both positive and negative testing scenarios to ensure all possible scenarios are tested:** 

Positive testing scenarios involve the application being tested under regular settings, while negative testing scenarios involve the application being tested under abnormal or unexpected situations. Both scenarios help ensure that the application can handle unexpected occurrences.

iv. **Test the application across multiple platforms, devices, and browsers:** 

Testing the application across several platforms, devices, and browsers is critical to guarantee it functions properly. This might entail testing on desktop and mobile platforms, as well as on different browsers and devices.

v. **Verify that the application is working as intended in a real-world scenario:** 

Finally, Don't miss out on validating the application in a real-world setting. This involves testing it in settings that closely resemble how it will be used in practice and verifying that all functionality works correctly.

## Challenges of end-to-end testing

While end-to-end (E2E) testing offers many benefits; it also presents several challenges. Here are some of the most common challenges of E2E testing:

i. **Complexity:** 

E2E testing can be complex since it entails testing the application's components, dependencies, and integrations. Setting up and carrying out this plan can be difficult and time-consuming.

ii. **Maintenance:**
 
E2E tests might be challenging to manage since they can get invalidated by dependencies or application changes. This may result in false positives or negatives, necessitating much work to update and maintain testing.

iii. **Environment setup:** 

It is necessary to create and maintain a test environment that closely resembles the production environment; setting up the environment for E2E testing can be difficult. This may require managing several servers, databases, and other elements that might be challenging to set up and manage.

iv. **Test data management:** 

Significant test data is needed for E2E testing, which can be challenging. This comprises managing test data creation and management, assuring data consistency between tests, and managing test data storage and retrieval.

v. **Cost:** 

E2E testing may be costly, requiring substantial time and money to set up and perform. This might be a hurdle for smaller teams or organizations with limited resources.

## End-to-End Testing Lifecycle

The software testing life cycle consists of several key components, and end-to-end testing is no different. Let's take a closer look at the four phases of E2E testing:


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/970o34hwf0dmtp3zp9o8.jpeg)

i. **Test Planning:** 

This phase follows the completion of integration testing. Client requirements and application architecture are used to define test goals. This involves describing the resources and tools needed to meet test objectives.

ii. **Test Design:** 

Testers create an appropriate test environment based on the test requirements and use existing settings from previous runs. Risk and utilization analysis is carried out to distribute resources, and testers write test cases and use automated testing technologies to save time.

iii. **Test Execution:** 

Test cases are run locally and remotely, with progress monitored for conformity with the original design. This stage is crucial for confirming that the application is functioning properly.

iv. **Results Analysis:** 

The results of tests are analyzed to determine the underlying cause of defects or issues, which are then submitted to the development team for prompt action. A project retrospective is carried out to analyze procedures and find opportunities for improvement.

Organizations can ensure their E2E testing process is efficient, effective, and trustworthy by adhering to a testing life cycle and using test automation tools such as Testsigma, Selenium, Appium etc. to help identify flaws and streamline the process.

## Types of End-to-End Testing

End-to-End (E2E) testing is a comprehensive software testing approach that checks the entire software system from beginning to end. Two types of E2E testing are commonly used to validate the functionality of the software system:

i. **Horizontal E2E Testing**

Horizontal E2E testing is a type of E2E testing that tests the entire layer of a software system. This testing type validates that all software system components are working together seamlessly. It is typically used to test applications with multiple layers, such as web, mobile, and desktop. 

Horizontal E2E testing can be executed manually or using automation testing tools. By executing horizontal E2E tests, organizations can identify and fix any integration issues before releasing the software to the end users.

ii. **Vertical E2E Testing**

Vertical E2E testing is typically used to test complex business processes that span multiple software system layers.

During vertical E2E testing, testers create and execute test cases that test a specific workflow or functionality of the software system. This includes testing the inputs and outputs of each layer of the software system involved in the specific workflow. Vertical E2E testing can be executed manually or using automation testing tools. By executing vertical E2E tests, organizations can identify any issues or defects in the specific workflow or functionality of the software system and fix them before releasing the software to the end users.

## End-to-End Testing Success Metrics

Here are some end-to-end testing success metrics that organizations can use to evaluate the effectiveness of their E2E testing efforts:

i. **Test Coverage:** This statistic calculates the proportion of the software system tested using E2E. A high test coverage shows that the software system has been thoroughly tested and is less likely to have bugs.

ii. **Defect Detection Rate:** This statistic calculates the proportion of faults discovered and corrected during E2E testing. A high defect detection rate suggests that E2E testing efforts successfully identify issues early in the software development lifecycle.

iii. **Test Execution Time:** This statistic indicates how long it takes to run E2E tests. A short test execution time suggests that E2E testing efforts are efficient and can assist organizations in releasing products to the market more quickly.

iv. **Test Maintenance work:** This statistic assesses the work necessary to keep E2E tests running. A minimal test maintenance effort suggests that E2E testing efforts efficiently discover and avoid recurrent errors.

v. **Business Value:** This indicator assesses the value of E2E testing to the company. A high business value implies that the E2E testing efforts align with the business goals and contribute to the success of the software system.

vi. **Customer Satisfaction:** This indicator assesses the end user's satisfaction with the software system. A high customer satisfaction rating implies that the software system satisfies the needs and expectations of the end-user and is free of flaws.

Organizations can make data-driven decisions to improve their E2E testing efforts by tracking end-to-end testing success metrics.

## E2E testing vs System testing vs Integration testing


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/olyucad5vqj0iot5j95n.png)

In summary, the scope, goal, timing, test environment, data, kinds, and problems of end-to-end testing, system testing, and integration testing differ. Understanding these differences is critical for organizations to select the best testing strategy for their software system and guarantee that testing efforts are efficient and successful.

## Bottom Line

In conclusion, End-to-end testing is critical for guaranteeing software application quality and stability. It aids in detecting and correcting flaws early in the software development cycle, saving time and money.