6 - Enterprise Web Application Testing

Abstract

A robust software testing strategy is essential for bulletproofing an enterprise application and for a quality delivery within the planned cost and quality. We have seen some testing strategies specific to scalability, availability, and performance in previous chapters. This chapter complements those testing methodologies by elaborating on testing best practices and testing methodologies that can be adopted for testing enterprise web applications. Creating a rock-solid testing strategy is a creative and multi-dimensional effort requiring intricate knowledge of the domain, technology, and scenario in which the end user operates. With the emergence of various enterprise web technologies, traditional testing methods fall short of meeting various end-user expectations. This chapter focuses on the challenges with testing in general and web testing methods in particular. The chapter then lays out the critical success factors for a sound testing strategy in enterprise application testing. It provides novel end-to-end software testing methodologies, starting from the testing estimation model, up through postproduction for enterprise web applications. The key pillars of the testing strategy proposed in this chapter are based on user-centric, complete validation, automation, proactive problem detection and prevention and performance focus (the UCAPP model). The chapter provides sample testing metrics, testing processes, for implementation of proposed testing strategy. The chapter also provides detailed insights from comprehensive analysis of successfully implemented enterprise web applications, software testing trends, and best practices implemented successfully in large-scale enterprise projects to achieve high availability in enterprise applications.