Do Not Tolerate Flaky Tests. Fix Them (or Delete Them).

As a DevOps engineer, you know the importance of testing in ensuring the quality and reliability of your software. However, not all tests are created equal, and some tests are more reliable than others. Flaky tests are tests that fail intermittently, even though the code being tested is not broken. These tests can be frustrating to deal with and can waste valuable time and resources. In this article, we will discuss why you should not tolerate flaky tests and what you can do to fix or delete them.

Why You Should Not Tolerate Flaky Tests

Flaky tests can cause several problems that affect the quality and reliability of your software. Here are some reasons why you should not tolerate flaky tests:

1. Flaky tests can make it difficult to identify real bugs: Flaky tests can mask real bugs in your code, making it difficult to identify and fix them.

2. Flaky tests can waste valuable time and resources: Flaky tests can consume valuable time and resources that could be better spent on other tasks.

3. Flaky tests can erode confidence in your tests: Flaky tests can erode confidence in your tests and make it difficult to trust the results.

4. Flaky tests can lead to false positives: Flaky tests can lead to false positives, which can cause unnecessary rework and delays.

What You Can Do to Fix or Delete Flaky Tests

Fixing or deleting flaky tests can help you avoid the problems caused by flaky tests. Here are some things you can do to fix or delete flaky tests:

1. Identify the root cause of the flakiness: To fix flaky tests, you need to identify the root cause of the flakiness. This can be done by analyzing the test results and identifying patterns.

2. Fix the root cause of the flakiness: Once you have identified the root cause of the flakiness, you can fix it. This may involve modifying the test code, the test environment, or the application code.

3. Delete the flaky tests: If you are unable to fix the root cause of the flakiness, you may need to delete the flaky tests. This can help you avoid the problems caused by flaky tests.

4. Prioritize fixing flaky tests: Fixing flaky tests should be a priority. You should allocate the necessary time and resources to fix or delete flaky tests.

Conclusion

Flaky tests can cause several problems that affect the quality and reliability of your software. To avoid these problems, you should not tolerate flaky tests and should fix or delete them as soon as possible. By identifying the root cause of the flakiness and fixing it or deleting the flaky tests, you can improve the reliability and quality of your software. Remember, a reliable and trustworthy test suite is crucial for the success of your DevOps pipeline.

We hope this article has been helpful in understanding why you should not tolerate flaky tests and what you can do to fix or delete them. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.