Test Automation with Git and DevOps Test Integrations and APIs

In the world of modern software development, testing is key to ensuring that your front-end and back-end systems and services work seamlessly together. When using DevOps Test Integrations and APIs by IBM, you are already on the right-path to automating API and integration testing. With the addition of Git, you are set up for managing your test scripts, improving collaboration, and making your testing pipeline run smoothly in CI/CD environments.

Note: IBM DevOps Test Integrations and APIs (Test Integrations and APIs) is the new name of Rational Integration Tester (RIT) from version 11.0.0 onwards.

Let us look at how combining Git with DevOps Test Integrations and APIs can streamline your testing process. We can also implement Service Virtualization in DevOps Test Integrations and APIs for simulating external systems and everything ties together for seamless test automation in your CI/CD workflows.

What is DevOps Test Integrations and APIs?

DevOps Test Integrations and APIs is IBM’s go-to tool for testing APIs and validating integrations. With Test Integrations and APIs, you can automate the testing of complex APIs, simulate external systems, and ensure the services in your application work together as they should.

Here is what you can achieve with DevOps Test Integrations and APIs:

·        Automated API Testing

       Automatically validate how APIs behave, ensuring that your endpoints work as expected.

·        Service Virtualization

       Simulate services that are not available or too expensive and time-consuming to deploy or are hard to replicate for testing. This is key when testing interactions with third-party systems.

·        Integration Testing

       Test how different services interact with each other, so you can ensure smooth integrations across the board.

·        CI/CD Compatibility

        Easily plug DevOps Test Integrations and APIs into Jenkins, and GitLab, so your tests run automatically whenever you push new code.

Why Git and DevOps Test Integrations and APIs should work together?

When you integrate Git with DevOps Test Integrations and APIs, you unlock several benefits that make managing your test scripts easier and your workflows smoother.

The following are the key reasons:

·        Version Control for Test Scripts

       Test scripts need version control. With Git, you can track the evolution of your tests, roll back to previous versions, and maintain a clean history of changes.

·        Better Collaboration

       Branches and pull requests allow for seamless collaboration, ensuring that changes are reviewed before they hit production.

·        Automated Test Execution in CI/CD

       Git and DevOps Test Integrations and APIs enhances Continuous Testing. Once you set up your CI/CD pipeline (say, with Jenkins and IBM DevOps Test Hub), your tests will run every time a code change is pushed to the repository. This means you can catch issues early and often.

Service Virtualization in DevOps Test Integrations and APIs

Another of DevOps Test Integrations and API’s ’s standout feature is Service Virtualization. If you are trying to test integrations with external services that are not always accessible (e.g. third-party APIs or systems that are too costly or complicated to replicate) then service virtualization is your solution.

Here are some reasons why:

·        Simulate External Dependencies

       You can test how your application would behave with an external service, even if that service is unavailable.

·        Isolate Tests

       Virtualizing external services lets you isolate your tests, focusing on specific components without worrying about other systems.

·        Test More Scenarios

       With virtual services, you can test edge cases, simulate upgraded components, start performance testing earlier and check for failure scenarios that would be difficult to create in a live environment.

Setting Up Git Integration with DevOps Test Integrations and APIs

Here are the steps to get Git and DevOps Test Integrations and APIs working together in your CI/CD pipeline.

Step 1: Set Up Your Git Repository

a.           Start by creating a Git repository for your test scripts.

b.          Log in to GitHub and navigate to the Repositories tab.

c.           Click New to create a repository.

d.          Then clone your repository locally in a folder of your choice using Git Bash

git clone https://github.com/<yourusername>/rit-test-repo.git

Step 2: Create Your DevOps Test Integrations and APIs Test Project

a.           In DevOps Test Integrations and APIs, create your test project and save it to your locally cloned repository folder.

b.          Write your test scripts, set up virtual services, and configure them as needed.

Step 3: Connect DevOps Test Integrations and APIs to Git

a.           In the DevOps Test Integrations and APIs Workbench, on the top main menu, click Window > Preferences.

b.          Enter your Git Credentials and click Apply. You are now connected to Git and ready to deliver changes to your project from inside the DevOps Test Integrations and APIs Workbench.

c.     Note the red Git icon at the bottom of the workbench. Left-click on the icon to reveal differences between your local copy of the DevOps Test Integrations and APIs project and the one in the Git repository.

Step 4: Push Your Tests to Git

Once your tests are ready, add and commit to your Git repository.

You can do this from the top menu.

a.           Select Tools > Deliver changes.

b.               Add a meaningful message when committing and click OK to deliver changes to your repository in GitHub.

c.           Check your remote repository in GitHub to view the delivered project.

Best Practices for Git and DevOps Test Integrations and APIs Integration

·        Keep Your Repository Organized

       Organize your test scripts, virtual services, and configurations in a clear structure within your Git repository.

• Version Control Virtual Services 

               If you are using virtual services, keep them versioned and stored in your Git repository too. This ensures everything is synchronized and makes it easier to  manage changes across your tests.

·        Clear Commit Messages

       Always write descriptive commit messages to explain the changes to your tests or virtual services to help maintain clarity across the team.

·        Use Feature Branches

       For new test cases or features, use separate branches to isolate development. This prevents accidental changes to the main branch.

·        Automate Test Execution

       Ensure your CI/CD pipeline triggers tests whenever there is a change in the Git repository, providing fast feedback on any issues.

A few words on IBM DevOps Test Hub

IBM DevOps Test Hub (Test Hub) is the new name of Rational Test Automation Server (RTAS) from version 11.0.0 onwards. Test Hub is a web-based continuous testing platform built on modern, cloud-native technologies that enables test teams to run a breadth of tests that includes API, functional, and performance tests and to benefit from a holistic view of test progress. Test Hub is built on Docker for easy deployment. You can scale your testing on the cloud or remote on-premises systems with native Docker, Kubernetes, or IBM® Red Hat OpenShift support.

Adding Test Hub with DevOps Test Integrations and APIs helps you manage and execute your test assets more efficiently. When combined with CI/CD, Test Hub makes your testing process much smoother.

Test Hub can enhance your CI/CD pipeline in the following ways:

• Centralized Test Asset Management

            Test Hub acts as a central hub where all your test scripts, virtual services, and configurations live, making it easier to maintain.

• Automated Test Execution

            By linking Test Hub to your CI/CD tool (e.g. Jenkins) you can automatically trigger tests whenever code changes are pushed to Git. This ensures that your    tests are always up to date and run whenever they need to.

• Comprehensive Reporting

           Test Hub gives you detailed reports on test executions, with insights into passed and failed tests. These reports can be integrated into your CI/CD pipeline to automatically trigger alerts or notifications based on test results. This keeps your team in the loop and ensures fast feedback on testing progress.

Summary

Integrating Git, DevOps Test Integrations and APIs and Test Hub can transform your testing process. Git provides version control, DevOps Test Integrations and APIs automates API and integration testing, and Test Hub centralizes test management and execution. With Service Virtualization in DevOps Test Integrations and APIs, you can simulate external dependencies for more reliable and thorough testing.

Together, these tools create a robust, automated testing ecosystem that works seamlessly in CI/CD pipelines, driving faster and higher-quality software delivery.

References

1. Test Integrations and APIs – Official product documentation by IBM.  IBM DevOps Test Integrations and APIs documentation
2. Git – Official Git Documentation. Git documentation
3. Test Hub – Official documentation for IBM Test Hub. IBM DevOps Test Hub documentation
4. Service Virtualization – IBM documentation on Service Virtualization in Test Integrations and APIs .  Service Virtualization in Test Integrations and APIs documentation