Understanding Flaky Test Cases 

Causes and Impact  

Flaky test cases can be a major challenge in software testing. By understanding why they occur and their consequences, testing teams can effectively address flakiness and improve the reliability of their test suites.

Introduction

Defining Flaky Test Cases

Flaky test cases are test cases that produce inconsistent results, yielding different outcomes under the same conditions. They may pass or fail intermittently, causing uncertainty in the test results.

Identifying Causes of Flaky Test Cases

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Several factors contribute to flakiness in test cases.

Common causes such as timing issues, dependencies on external systems, improper test data handling, and non-deterministic application behavior. Understanding these causes helps testing teams pinpoint and mitigate flakiness effectively.

Impact of Flaky Test Cases

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Flaky test cases have significant consequences on testing efforts. 

They introduce uncertainty, reduce trust in test results, and waste valuable time for manual investigation.

There are several strategies and tools for identifying flaky test cases, including statistical analysis, test case annotations, and automated detection techniques. Proper reporting ensures that flakiness is acknowledged and prioritised for resolution.

Detecting and Reporting Flakiness

Flaky Test Case Management Best Practices

Managing flaky test cases effectively is essential for long-term success. This  includes regular test case maintenance for flakiness, collaboration between developers & testers, and leveraging version control systems.

Conclusion

Understanding the causes and impact of flaky test cases is crucial for improving testing reliability. By defining flaky test cases, identifying common causes, understanding their impact, detecting and reporting flakiness accurately, implementing mitigation strategies, and following best practices for flaky test case management, testing teams can minimize flakiness and enhance the overall quality of their software products.

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