Tips

Tips

• Ansible vs. Docker: Differences and similarities explained

  Ansible and Docker play specific roles, but when used together, Ansible's playbooks and Docker's Dockerfiles provide greater control and configurability over servers.  Continue Reading

• Scrum master responsibilities: What does a Scrum master do?

  While the title may sound authoritative, Scrum masters have little control over their team. So, what exactly does a Scrum master do? The answer might surprise you.  Continue Reading

• Ultimate Markdown guide: 5 rules to know

  Markdown is crucial to documentation writers. Learn the vendor-based variations and several basic formatting rules to get started with this potent markup language.  Continue Reading

• How to improve DevOps through collaboration

  Collaboration is key in DevOps, surpassing any one tool, product or individual. Discover why collaboration is crucial and tips for collaborating effectively in DevOps.  Continue Reading

• 7 top software testing certifications

  Certifications validate the candidate's software testing skills and keep them current with industry trends. Learn which certs offer the most value in the testing job market.  Continue Reading

• 13 common QA interview questions and answers

  Use these typical QA interview questions -- broken into basic, intermediate and advanced -- to progress from the screening interview to the final stages and land the job.  Continue Reading

• QAOps vs. DevOps: Important differences

  QAOps represents an extension of DevOps that can help enterprises mature their software QA practices. Learn how QAOps can help DevOps-driven organizations zero in on quality.  Continue Reading

• UX design principles: Why should testers know them?

  Usability is key to the success of an application. Learn what developers and testers should look for to optimize usability and maximize the business value of an application.  Continue Reading

• Speed vs. quality in software testing: Can you have both?

  Testing can slow development and quick releases can come at the price of quality. Teams should not have to choose. Learn to efficiently pursue quality in development and testing.  Continue Reading

• User mode vs. kernel mode: OSes explained

  Kernel mode exists to keep user applications from disrupting critical system functions. Learn how each state works and what can happen when an error occurs in kernel mode.  Continue Reading

• How to weigh the benefits and challenges of CI/CD

  Many organizations begin their DevOps journey with a continuous integration and delivery pipeline. Before getting started, understand some fundamental benefits of CI/CD.  Continue Reading

• 12 CI/CD best practices for DevOps teams

  Building and maintaining a CI/CD pipeline requires more than just chains of automation. Adopt these CI/CD approaches to maximize your development and deployment efforts.  Continue Reading

• Epics, features and user stories explained

  Epics, features and user stories are all uniquely important work products in Agile product management. Learn the difference between them and how they work together to create value.  Continue Reading

• How to put CI, CT and CD together in a DevOps pipeline

  DevOps pipelines aren't just about CI/CD. Learn why continuous testing is a crucial piece of the puzzle and how it ultimately results in cleaner code with fewer errors.  Continue Reading

• Guide to synthetic test data

  Synthetic data can replicate real-world scenarios in software testing. Discover how synthetic data addresses challenges posed by real-world data while preserving its advantages.  Continue Reading

• 10 skills an SDET needs

  SDETs need a blend of development and testing skills to be effective, as well as soft skills critical to both disciplines. Learn to develop important skills for this hybrid role.  Continue Reading

• A guide to software design documentation and specifications

  Software design documents still rank as important SDLC components -- even in the age of DevOps. Learn why they are important, how to write one and who should contribute.  Continue Reading

• Requirements vs. user stories in software development

  User stories fulfill the same purpose as software requirements but through different means. Learn how to write user stories and how they relate to software requirements.  Continue Reading

• Cypress vs. Playwright: When to use each

  Cypress and Playwright stand out as notable options among the many automated testing tools available. Learn how to make an informed choice between them.  Continue Reading

• ORM vs. SQL: When to use each

  Object relational mapping and raw SQL are two different ways to interact with relational databases. Learn when to use each of the two methods and when using both is appropriate.  Continue Reading

• 5 Java ORM tools to know

  ORMs are a popular method for connecting to databases from Java. Consider the tradeoffs of these ORM tools to decide which tool to run with.  Continue Reading

• Waterfall vs. Agile methodology: Differences and examples

  Teams have a choice in the way they approach a new dev project. Learn about two main schools of thought -- Agile and Waterfall -- and why Agile is the prevailing methodology today.  Continue Reading

• How to create an engaging README file

  Every developer must learn the art of creating a README file to explain critical information about their software projects to internal stakeholders and customers.  Continue Reading

• Positive vs. negative testing: Differences and examples

  Take an in-depth look at positive and negative testing. Learn how to use both to form the basis of a thorough testing approach through a series of real-world examples.  Continue Reading

• The 7 stages of the SDLC explained

  The development process can be broken into seven distinct phases that transform high-level plans into production-ready software. Learn how to approach each phase of the SDLC.  Continue Reading

• Learn the phases of feature-driven development

  Learn how development teams can use the five phases of feature-driven development to put Agile principles into practice by structuring projects around app functionality.  Continue Reading

• How to apply impact mapping to software with examples

  Impact mapping can reduce scope creep and enable flexibility in the SDLC by creating a shared understanding among all stakeholders. Learn how to apply it to software projects.  Continue Reading

• Testing generative AI apps

  With generative AI apps rising in popularity, QA professionals should be aware of their unique failure modes. Learn what testers need to consider when handling these tools.  Continue Reading

• Applying Kanban principles to software development

  Kanban was conceptualized in manufacturing and later adopted by software development teams, alongside other methodologies, such as Lean and Scrum. Learn to apply Kanban principles.  Continue Reading

• Understanding code linting techniques and tools

  Linting is an important preliminary step in the debugging process. Learn how fixing simple errors early on makes code easier to work with and improves coding practices.  Continue Reading

• The importance of edge case testing: When to fix the bug

  While edge cases in software testing only affect a small subset of users, testing for them is still important. Learn which edge fixes are worth making and which can be ignored.  Continue Reading

• Create an open source security policy for your organization

  Using open source software raises concerns about security and intellectual property. Here's how to make sound decisions and avoid situations you'll regret.  Continue Reading

• Conduct load tests with JMeter on Kubernetes

  Apache JMeter and other load-testing tools can be used with Kubernetes to conduct stress tests to see how well an app performs in specific scenarios.  Continue Reading

• Don't neglect API functional testing

  APIs are how applications connect to a database, partner servers and integrated applications. Testing their efficacy is an essential QA task for every software team.  Continue Reading

• What to know about Python load testing

  It's a nice problem to have when an application is so popular it's in danger of failing from too many customers accessing it at once. Be sure you are ready to meet that demand.  Continue Reading

• How to set up Python coding standards for a dev team

  Python team leaders have two challenges when it comes to code standards: creating a style guide and getting developers to stick to it.  Continue Reading

• Is Scrum master certification worth it?

  Considering a Scrum master certification? Let's look at the considerations that factor into a decision to pursue certification and whether being a Scrum master benefits a career.  Continue Reading

• How boundary value analysis boosts test efficiency

  Boundary value analysis provides multiple benefits, including increased test coverage and proactive defect prevention. It's a simple way to improve test efficiency.  Continue Reading

• What's the value in an Agile release train?

  When multiple development teams work on code, integration and deployment become more complicated. ART could be a useful tool to smooth out these wrinkles.  Continue Reading

• An Agile development strategy needs a proper foundation

  It's a mistake to think of Agile development as merely project management. Let's look at the basic elements and types of tools needed to make Agile work.  Continue Reading

• 6 green coding best practices and how to get started

  Software developers can support sustainability efforts via a range of green coding tactics. These best practices range from shrinking artifacts to maximizing efficiency.  Continue Reading

• The dos and don'ts of scalability testing

  Effective scalability testing helps to evaluate customer experience, protect against major failures and safeguard an organization's reputation. Here's how to set a strategy.  Continue Reading

• Docker vs. OpenShift: What are the main differences?

  Docker and OpenShift have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two depends on the specific needs of your application and organization.  Continue Reading

• The key role testing plays in a Three Amigos strategy

  Because testers are skilled in asking questions and suggesting scenarios that lead to alternative workflows, they can be especially useful in Three Amigos efforts.  Continue Reading

• The benefits and limitations of headless browser testing

  Headless browsers offer efficient web UI testing but lack the visual debugging capabilities of traditional browsers, making assessing the app's state upon test failure challenging.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for automated end-to-end testing

  Advanced end-to-end testing can save a company time and money, but it isn't easy to implement. Let's look at some of the important elements of test design.  Continue Reading

• Is continuous testing in DevOps worth the effort?

  Continuous testing isn't simple to implement, but it can add exceptional business value to software development when done right. Here are the key elements.  Continue Reading

• Is a continuous planning process in DevOps worth it?

  Is a continuous planning strategy right for your organization's DevOps efforts? Know the practical benefits and challenges, as well as how to improve development efficiencies.  Continue Reading

• Scrum master interview questions and answers

  Want to ace the Scrum master interview? These tough Scrum master questions and answers will help you prepare.  Continue Reading

• The benefits of WIP limits in Kanban

  Agile developers complete projects faster when they limit WIP. Learn how less work in progress means more work completed and how to set up a Kanban board with WIP limitations.  Continue Reading

• How to test a predictive model

  Strategies for testing predictive models and analytics emphasize data quality, real-time testing and code redundancy, as well as AI and machine learning integration.  Continue Reading

• The dos and don'ts of visual testing

  The visual aspect of an application is an important part of UX. Defects can potentially result in lost sales and damaged reputations.  Continue Reading

• Collaborative coding basics and best practices

  Successful collaborative coding includes teamwide situational awareness, highly effective communication, strong project management practices and strict version control.  Continue Reading

• How to develop a test data management strategy

  Effective test data management in app development involves defining appropriate data, using activity diagrams to see how the code will perform, and protecting sensitive information.  Continue Reading

• Roles and responsibilities in an Agile center of excellence

  A successful Agile transformation takes time and perseverance. Here's how an Agile center of excellence helps to adopt changes and adjust work processes.  Continue Reading

• What does a developer advocate do?

  Developer advocates have a special vantage point because they talk to -- and hear from --both the people who develop a particular software product and the people who use it.  Continue Reading

• The importance of Kubernetes vulnerability scanning

  New to containerization and Kubernetes? Here's what the dev team should know about container image scanning, container file scanning and Kubernetes manifest scanning.  Continue Reading

• 5 essential best practices for QA teams to adopt

  Performing QA duties properly should mean more than checking lists of basic application requirements. Here are five ways software QA teams can improve review processes all around.  Continue Reading

• 3 questions to ask in a digital twin testing scenario

  Is your team prepared to capture the right data so that your digital twin testing is accurate and effective? Here's what experts say about proper test approaches.  Continue Reading

• How to make use of specification-based test techniques

  Specification-based techniques can play a role in efficient test coverage. Choosing the right techniques can ensure thorough coverage, while eliminating redundancy.  Continue Reading

• How to make use of specification-based test techniques

  Specification-based techniques can play a role in efficient test coverage. Choosing the right techniques can ensure thorough coverage, while eliminating redundancy.  Continue Reading

• The basics of implementing an API testing framework

  With an increasing need for API testing, having an efficient test strategy is a big concern for testers. How can teams evaluate what framework strategy is the right match?  Continue Reading

• OKRs vs. SMART goals in software development

  OKRs and SMART are two goal-setting approaches. Knowing their differences and how to implement each is essential to steer your business objectives in a clear direction.  Continue Reading

• How to gradually incorporate AI in software testing

  While some software teams may find themselves wary to weave AI into their software testing routines, a gradual introduction of AI-based testing strategies could be worth the effort.  Continue Reading

• A few simple strategies to reduce software test redundancy

  While comprehensive test coverage is a must, software teams must make conscious efforts to keep suites from becoming overpopulated with hampering numbers of redundant test cases.  Continue Reading

• How to develop an API test automation strategy

  A suite of automated API tests can set up an application for success but only if QA teams determine the right tests to automate and implement them correctly.  Continue Reading

• How to build a regression test suite

  Code changes are an unavoidable aspect of software development. Teams need to properly test to make sure those changes don't adversely affect the end product.  Continue Reading

• How to balance data access and security in fintech testing

  Using real data is beneficial in software testing -- but teams must be careful not to compromise security and privacy. Six core strategies for fintech testing can help.  Continue Reading

• Test frameworks and examples for unit testing Python code

  Unit testing is a crucial aspect of software development. Teams can adopt Python for unit testing to optimize Python's advantages and built-in framework options.  Continue Reading

• The attributes of an effective database testing strategy

  Teams need to implement a proper database testing strategy to optimize results. Explore effective database testing attributes here.  Continue Reading

• Code comment best practices every developer should know

  Source code can benefit from well-written code comments. If teams implement proper writing strategies, code comments can be a great tool to explain code intent.  Continue Reading

• 6 alternatives to Heroku's defunct free service tiers

  Though the end of Heroku's free-tier services has left many developers and software teams in the cold, a flock of cloud platform providers seem determined to fill the void.  Continue Reading

• What details to include on a software defect report

  Teams that can write clear and detailed defect reports will increase software quality and reduce the time needed to fix bugs. Here's what to know about getting reports right.  Continue Reading

• How to run an ADA-compliant website test

  Digital accessibility benefits both developers and website users alike. By following WCAG guidelines and using testing tools, teams can ensure that their websites are ADA-compliant.  Continue Reading

• 4 critical API caching practices all developers should know

  API caching can increase the performance and response time of an application, but only if it's done right. Learn about some of the caching tools and techniques worth implementing.  Continue Reading

• Make the shift-left testing approach work for your team

  Developers test to find defects and correct flaws before an application reaches release. But the ever-quickening pace of development puts pressure on testing.  Continue Reading

• 3 software developer goals that are top of mind in 2023

  Like many people, software professionals have their own goals in mind for 2023, including a focus on project management, software accessibility and data structure decisions.  Continue Reading

• Mob programming benefits for Agile development teams

  Mob programming brings the whole team together for simultaneous code creation and review. If they specify roles and engage, Agile teams can benefit from mobbing practices.  Continue Reading

• How to validate a Kubernetes manifest

  Dev teams must validate Kubernetes manifests. Developers can navigate validation and issues that arise with the help of native and third-party tools and other coding methods.  Continue Reading

• 10 essential Scrum Master skills

  From sprint planning to servant leadership, Scrum Masters help Agile developers, product owners and other team members perform at their best. Here's what makes a good Scrum Master.  Continue Reading

• Tools and techniques to test Kubernetes objects

  Kubernetes manifests and objects represent the baseline of code development on the platform. Here's why and how to test these integral elements of Kubernetes.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for low-code integration within dev pipelines

  When a nontechnical team leads the charge on application development, it still falls to developers and testers to integrate low-code tools and apps into the pipeline.  Continue Reading

• How to compare acceptance criteria vs. definition of done

  Acceptance criteria and the definition of done both measure quality in product development, but the ways teams calculate and achieve these features vary dramatically.  Continue Reading

• Who writes acceptance criteria?

  Product owners are usually responsible for acceptance criteria. But everyone who has a say in the final product should be involved in the process.  Continue Reading

• An overview of data-driven API testing

  API testing -- including data-driven API testing -- differs from other software tests in its overall process and relevant metrics. Analytics and automation play a key role.  Continue Reading

• Explore the benefits of Docker for testers, QA teams

  From simplified test setup to enhanced isolation, Docker containers offer a range of advantages to QA engineers. Containers also encourage earlier, and more frequent, testing.  Continue Reading

• The role of the T-shaped software tester in modern dev

  While a T-shaped tester delivers a powerful and specialized skill set, continuous learning should be an ongoing priority for all software team members.  Continue Reading

• The major differences between QA and SDETs

  How do SDET and QA roles differ? The similar positions both focus on code testing, but it's their unique focuses that makes them a valuable part of an Agile team.  Continue Reading

• Make quality a priority in your software engineering culture

  A software team needs quality to ensure a strong product. Here are some ways to implement quality in all facets of development and build it into every software release.  Continue Reading

• How you can incorporate lean coffee for Agile, QA meetings

  Don't let formal meeting agendas turn away attendees. The lean coffee format encourages participation and idea sharing on topics to drive conversation in numerous settings.  Continue Reading

• The 5 prevailing Agile pitfalls that prevent true adoption

  To successfully implement Agile and maintain its momentum, teams must often overcome a predictable series of both technical and cultural adoption challenges.  Continue Reading

• Why security chaos engineering works, and how to do it right

  While 'chaos' doesn't sound like something software security managers would want, chaos engineering has an enticing amount of value when it comes to identifying potential threats.  Continue Reading

• 7 essential GitHub features for dev, project management

  When teams use GitHub, they want features that simplify project management and enable more control. Here are seven features to tinker with during application development.  Continue Reading

• Here's why you still need exploratory testing documentation

  While documentation is an important part of exploratory testing, it doesn't have to be extensive -- and it shouldn't get in the way of learning about the software.  Continue Reading

• Emphasize culture in your Agile implementation approach

  Team structure and culture should be a primary focus during any shift to Agile principles and methodologies.  Continue Reading

• Explore common types of Agile teams

  Agile methodologies can take many forms, and one Agile team can look and perform very differently from the next. Communication, however, is always key.  Continue Reading

• CircleCI vs. GitHub Actions: CI/CD platform comparison

  Learn the differing features, commands and perks that make CircleCI and GitHub Actions distinct CI/CD platforms. Then, decide which offering meets your team's needs.  Continue Reading

• Key things to consider when choosing regression testing tools

  Making a decision about regression testing tooling purchases means taking stock of plans for CI/CD implementations, existing automation capabilities, staff expertise and more.  Continue Reading

• 4 low-code best practices to streamline adoption

  To be successful with low-code adoption, organizations must clearly define project goals, ensure the right mix of staffing and tools, and regularly asses business value.  Continue Reading

• How test summary reports yield business value and benefits

  The data a test summary report compiles can provide great benefits to a development team -- and, in turn, business value to the larger IT organization.  Continue Reading