Why is automated testing so important in modern software development, and what key factor determines its effectiveness?

Automated testing systematically validates software under various conditions to identify defects early, preventing costly issues later. Its effectiveness relies heavily on the quality of the test code. When test code is treated as secondary, it can lead to quality issues that undermine the entire testing process. Therefore, test code should be valued as much as production code to ensure robust and maintainable software systems.

What are 'test smells,' and how do they relate to flaky tests?

'Test smells' are recurring issues identified during test refactoring that can impact code reliability and maintainability. One specific example of 'test smells' is 'flaky tests' which sometimes pass and sometimes fail without code changes. These 'test smells' indicate underlying problems that should be addressed to improve test quality.

What are some common types of 'test smells' that can reduce the quality of tests, and how do they manifest?

'Indirect Testing' happens when tests inadvertently test dependencies rather than the intended unit, leading to unclear results and potential for false positives. 'Eager Test' is when tests try to validate too many aspects of a unit's behavior at once, making them brittle and hard to maintain. 'Assertion Roulette' involves tests with multiple assertions but unclear failure messages, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a failure.

What is a common mentality that hurts test quality, and how can it be resolved?

A common challenge is the prioritization of new features over ensuring the stability and reliability of existing code. This mentality often leads to inadequate support for developers in writing and reviewing test code. This can be resolved by understanding the role that high-quality tests play in a modern software development lifecycle.

Surreal illustration of software testing landscape.

Future-Proof Your Code: A Modern Guide to Better Software Testing Practices

Q: How can organizations foster a culture of test excellence to improve software reliability?

Organizations can cultivate a culture that values thorough and effective testing by acknowledging the critical link between test quality and overall software reliability. Embracing the right tools and methodologies empowers developers to write better test code, leading to more robust, maintainable, and future-proof software systems. Continuous improvement of testing processes safeguards codebases and ensures a higher quality user experience.

Nico Varela in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Learn how to improve software quality with cutting-edge testing tools and strategies that prioritize both production and test code excellence."

In the fast-evolving world of software development, automated testing has emerged as a cornerstone for ensuring the reliability and robustness of applications. By systematically validating software under various conditions, testing helps identify defects early, preventing costly issues down the line. However, the effectiveness of testing hinges on the quality of the test code itself. Too often, test code is treated as a secondary concern, leading to poor quality and potentially undermining the entire testing process.

The challenge lies in fostering a mindset where test code is valued as much as production code. When managers and developers alike recognize the critical role of high-quality tests, it paves the way for more robust and maintainable software systems. This article delves into innovative approaches to elevate software testing, focusing on practical strategies and tools that empower developers to write better test code.

We will explore two key perspectives: first, examining established software testing best practices to identify common pitfalls and areas for improvement. Second, we will introduce new tools and techniques designed to address these challenges, ultimately enhancing the overall quality and reliability of software testing efforts. Let's embark on a journey to transform software testing from an afterthought to a strategic advantage.

Elevating Test Quality: Why It Matters

Surreal illustration of software testing landscape.

Decades of research underscores the importance of testing in ensuring overall system quality. Early studies highlighted that test code often doesn't receive the same rigorous attention as production code. This discrepancy can lead to significant issues. Developers must start to perceive production code as being more important than test code. When that happens tests start to develop quality issues [2, 3, 25].

In 2018, it was identified the concept of 'test smells,' recurring issues found during test refactoring. These smells indicate underlying problems that can impact code reliability and maintainability. Palomba et al. [16] further linked flaky tests—tests that sometimes pass and sometimes fail without any code changes—to these test smells. Often more than half of the flaky tests contained smells. These are just a few thing that is wrong with test today.

Indirect Testing: Occurs when tests inadvertently test dependencies rather than the intended unit, leading to unclear results and potential for false positives.
Eager Test: Characterized by tests that try to validate too many aspects of a unit's behavior at once, making them brittle and hard to maintain.
Assertion Roulette: Involves tests with multiple assertions but unclear failure messages, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a failure.

Despite the recognition of testing's importance, it is still considered less important than feature development [20]. This common mentality prioritizes new features over ensuring the stability and reliability of existing code. Additionally, current tools often lack adequate support for developers in writing and reviewing test code, further exacerbating the issue.

Embracing a Culture of Test Excellence

Elevating the practice of software testing requires a multifaceted approach. By acknowledging the critical link between test quality and overall software reliability, organizations can cultivate a culture that values thorough and effective testing. Embracing the right tools and methodologies empowers developers to write better test code, ultimately leading to more robust, maintainable, and future-proof software systems. By continuously improving testing processes, companies are safeguarding their codebases and ensuring a higher quality user experience.