Write test cases that cover different scenarios

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 58 views

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As a developer, I need GitHub to perform automated testing on incoming pull requests so that I can know whether the code in the pull request works and make sure only working code are merged in.

Introduction

Automated testing is a crucial step in the software development process. It helps ensure that the code is working as expected and reduces the risk of introducing bugs into the production environment. In this article, we will explore how to set up automated testing on GitHub using GitHub Actions.

Benefits of Automated Testing

Automated testing offers several benefits, including:

Improved code quality: Automated testing helps ensure that the code is working as expected, which leads to improved code quality.
Reduced debugging time: Automated testing reduces the time spent on debugging, as it helps identify issues early in the development process.
Increased efficiency: Automated testing saves time and effort, as it automates the testing process, allowing developers to focus on other tasks.
Enhanced collaboration: Automated testing facilitates collaboration among team members, as it provides a clear understanding of the code's behavior.

Setting up Automated Testing on GitHub

To set up automated testing on GitHub, you need to create a .github/workflows/ci.yml file and configure GitHub Actions to automatically run unit tests when someone pushes to master or submits a pull request.

Creating the `.github/workflows/ci.yml` File

The .github/workflows/ci.yml file is a YAML file that defines the workflow for automated testing. Here is an example of a basic workflow:

name: CI

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - master
  pull_request:

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: npm install
      - name: Run unit tests
        run: npm test

This workflow defines a job called build that runs on an ubuntu-latest environment. The job consists of three steps:

Checkout code: This step checks out the code from the repository.
Install dependencies: This step installs the dependencies required by the project.
Run unit tests: This step runs the unit tests using the npm test command.

Configuring GitHub Actions

To configure GitHub Actions to automatically run unit tests when someone pushes to master or submits a pull request, you need to create a new workflow in the .github/workflows directory. Here is an example of a workflow that runs unit tests on push and pull request events:

name: CI

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - master
  pull_request:

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: npm install
      - name: Run unit tests
        run: npm test

This workflow is similar to the previous one, but it is triggered by push and pull request events.

Acceptance Criteria

To ensure that the automated testing setup is working correctly, you need to define the acceptance criteria. Here are some examples of acceptance criteria:

Given a pull request with working code
When GitHub automatically runs the test cases
Then GitHub should automatically run the unit tests and provide the test results

These acceptance criteria define the expected behavior of the automated testing setup. They ensure that the setup is working correctly and providing the expected results.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored how to set up automated testing on GitHub using GitHub Actions. We discussed the benefits of automated testing, created a .github/workflows/ci.yml file, and configured GitHub Actions to automatically run unit tests when someone pushes to master or submits a pull request. We also defined the acceptance criteria to ensure that the automated testing setup is working correctly. By following these steps, you can set up automated testing on GitHub and improve the quality of your code.

Additional Resources

FAQs

Q: What is automated testing?

A: Automated testing is a process that uses software to test the code and ensure it is working as expected.

Q: Why is automated testing important?

A: Automated testing is important because it helps ensure that the code is working as expected, reduces the risk of introducing bugs into the production environment, and saves time and effort.

Q: How do I set up automated testing on GitHub?

Q: What are the benefits of automated testing?

A: The benefits of automated testing include improved code quality, reduced debugging time, increased efficiency, and enhanced collaboration.

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As a developer, you may have questions about setting up automated testing on GitHub using GitHub Actions. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about automated testing on GitHub.

Q: What is automated testing?

A: Automated testing is a process that uses software to test the code and ensure it is working as expected. It involves writing test cases that cover different scenarios and executing them automatically to verify the code's behavior.

Q: Why is automated testing important?

A: Automated testing is important because it helps ensure that the code is working as expected, reduces the risk of introducing bugs into the production environment, and saves time and effort. It also improves code quality, reduces debugging time, and increases efficiency.

Q: How do I set up automated testing on GitHub?

A: To set up automated testing on GitHub, you need to create a .github/workflows/ci.yml file and configure GitHub Actions to automatically run unit tests when someone pushes to master or submits a pull request. You can use the GitHub Actions documentation to learn more about setting up automated testing on GitHub.

Q: What are the benefits of automated testing?

A: The benefits of automated testing include:

Improved code quality: Automated testing helps ensure that the code is working as expected, which leads to improved code quality.
Reduced debugging time: Automated testing reduces the time spent on debugging, as it helps identify issues early in the development process.
Increased efficiency: Automated testing saves time and effort, as it automates the testing process, allowing developers to focus on other tasks.
Enhanced collaboration: Automated testing facilitates collaboration among team members, as it provides a clear understanding of the code's behavior.

Q: What is the difference between unit testing and integration testing?

A: Unit testing involves testing individual units of code, such as functions or methods, to ensure they are working as expected. Integration testing, on the other hand, involves testing how different units of code work together to ensure they are integrated correctly.

Q: How do I write unit tests for my code?

A: To write unit tests for your code, you need to identify the different units of code that need to be tested and write test cases that cover different scenarios. You can use a testing framework, such as Jest or Mocha, to write and run your unit tests.

Q: How do I configure GitHub Actions to run my unit tests?

A: To configure GitHub Actions to run your unit tests, you need to create a .github/workflows/ci.yml file and add a step that runs your unit tests. You can use the GitHub Actions documentation to learn more about configuring GitHub Actions to run your unit tests.

Q: Can I use GitHub Actions to run my integration tests?

A: Yes, you can use GitHub Actions to run your integration tests. You can add a step to your workflow that runs your integration tests, just like you would with unit tests.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with my automated testing setup?

A: To troubleshoot issues with your automated testing setup, you can check the GitHub Actions logs to see if there are any errors or warnings. You can also use the GitHub Actions documentation to learn more about troubleshooting common issues.

Q: Can I use automated testing to test my code on different environments?

A: Yes, you can use automated testing to test your code on different environments. You can add steps to your workflow that run your tests on different environments, such as different operating systems or browsers.

Q: How do I use automated testing to improve my code quality?

A: To use automated testing to improve your code quality, you need to write test cases that cover different scenarios and execute them automatically to verify the code's behavior. You can also use automated testing to identify issues early in the development process and fix them before they become major problems.

Q: Can I use automated testing to reduce my debugging time?

A: Yes, you can use automated testing to reduce your debugging time. Automated testing helps identify issues early in the development process, which reduces the time spent on debugging.

Q: How do I use automated testing to increase my efficiency?

A: To use automated testing to increase your efficiency, you need to automate the testing process, allowing developers to focus on other tasks. You can also use automated testing to reduce the time spent on debugging and improve code quality.

Q: Can I use automated testing to enhance my collaboration?

A: Yes, you can use automated testing to enhance your collaboration. Automated testing provides a clear understanding of the code's behavior, which facilitates collaboration among team members.

Q: How do I get started with automated testing on GitHub?

A: To get started with automated testing on GitHub, you need to create a .github/workflows/ci.yml file and configure GitHub Actions to automatically run unit tests when someone pushes to master or submits a pull request. You can use the GitHub Actions documentation to learn more about setting up automated testing on GitHub.

Q: What are some best practices for automated testing on GitHub?

A: Some best practices for automated testing on GitHub include:

Write test cases that cover different scenarios: Write test cases that cover different scenarios to ensure your code is working as expected.
Use a testing framework: Use a testing framework, such as Jest or Mocha, to write and run your unit tests.
Configure GitHub Actions to run your unit tests: Configure GitHub Actions to run your unit tests automatically when someone pushes to master or submits a pull request.
Use automated testing to improve code quality: Use automated testing to improve code quality by identifying issues early in the development process and fixing them before they become major problems.
Use automated testing to reduce debugging time: Use automated testing to reduce debugging time by identifying issues early in the development process.
Use automated testing to increase efficiency: Use automated testing to increase efficiency by automating the testing process, allowing developers to focus on other tasks.
Use automated testing to enhance collaboration: Use automated testing to enhance collaboration by providing a clear understanding of the code's behavior.

By following these best practices, you can use automated testing to improve your code quality, reduce debugging time, increase efficiency, and enhance collaboration on GitHub.