Continuous UI testing using Cypress: Pros and Cons

For a long time, Selenium was the only open-source automation tool that could effectively compete with more significant commercial .continuous testing tools However, in recent years, the open-source market has seen significant advancements, with Cypress emerging as a prominent new player in the test automation space.

Cypress was designed to address some of Selenium's limitations and to leverage newer web architecture trends. Unlike traditional automation tools, which are standalone applications running outside browsers to execute remote commands, Cypress is built on Node.js and functions as an npm module rather than an independent application. 

This unique approach means that Cypress operates directly within the browser, allowing it to interact with and manipulate the website's elements menterprise continuous testing.ore directly. This direct manipulation of the DOM makes it easier to stub or mock tests, resulting in greater test coverage and faster test execution. However, because Cypress runs inside the browser, it doesn't support parallel execution as effectively and requires multiple browser instances for parallel operations. Another advantage of Cypress being an npm module is that it supports different versions across various repositories, adapting to specific project needs.

Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of using Cypress for enterprise continuous testing.

What is Continuous UI Testing in Mobile and Web App Testing?

Continuous UI testing in mobile and web app development is the continual practice of automatically testing an application's user interface (UI) throughout its development lifetime. The objective is to keep the UI functional, visually consistent, and user-friendly as the program advances.

For Mobile Apps: Continuous UI testing involves running automated tests on mobile devices or emulators to verify that the app's interface works accurately across different screen sizes, orientations, and operating systems. This includes checking elements like buttons, menus, and forms to ensure they appear and function as intended. Continuous UI testing helps catch visual and functional issues early, preventing them from reaching the end user.

For Web Apps: Enterprise continuous testing for online applications entails employing automated tools to evaluate the interface across a variety of web browsers and screen sizes. This involves ensuring that components like navigation bars, buttons, and interactive features function properly and show accurately across various devices. Emulators, simulators, and genuine browsers are frequently used in testing to simulate a variety of user experiences.

The continuous element implies that UI tests are run automatically as part of the development workflow, which is frequently triggered by code changes or new releases. This technique guarantees that any UI flaws are immediately identified and rectified, lowering the likelihood of bugs sliding through and affecting the user experience.

Continuous UI testing may help teams enhance the stability and quality of their apps, guaranteeing a consistent and good user experience. This proactive strategy streamlines development, reduces manual testing, and improves overall product quality.

Pros of Using Cypress for Continuous UI Testing

Easy Setup and Use

One of Cypress's most significant advantages is its simplicity. Setting up Cypress is straightforward, and its syntax is intuitive for developers familiar with JavaScript. This ease of use reduces the learning curve and allows teams to start testing quickly.

Real-Time Reloads

Cypress offers a unique feature where tests automatically reload as you make changes to your code. This instant feedback loop significantly speeds up the development and testing process.

Time Travel and Debugging

Cypress takes snapshots as your tests run, allowing you to "time travel" through each step of your test. This feature, combined with comprehensive error messages and stack traces, makes debugging much more effortless.

Automatic Waiting

Unlike other continuous testing tools, Cypress automatically waits for elements to appear, animations to complete, and XHR requests to finish. This reduces the need for explicit waits and timeouts, making tests more stable and reliable.

Native Access to Everything

Cypress runs in the same run loop as your application, giving it native access to every object. You can alter your application's state and, stub network requests and control the behavior of functions.

Cross-browser Testing

While initially limited to Chrome, Cypress now supports multiple browsers, including Firefox and Edge, making cross-browser testing possible.

Strong Community and Documentation

Cypress has excellent, comprehensive documentation and a growing, active community. This support makes it easier to find solutions to problems and stay updated with best practices.

Cons of Using Cypress for Continuous UI Testing

Limited to JavaScript

Cypress tests can only be written in JavaScript. While this is great for JavaScript developers, it might be a limitation for teams using other languages.

Same-origin Policy Limitations

Due to security restrictions, Cypress cannot navigate to two different superdomains in the same test. This can be challenging when testing workflows that involve multiple domains.

No Native Mobile Testing Support

Cypress is designed for web applications and doesn't support native mobile app testing. For teams needing to test both web and mobile apps, this could mean using multiple tools.

Limited Tab Control

Cypress doesn't support working with multiple tabs. Each test is limited to interacting with a single tab, which can be restrictive for specific test scenarios.

Asynchronous Testing Challenges

While Cypress handles many asynchronous operations automatically, complex asynchronous flows can still be challenging to test and may require workarounds.

Performance Overhead

Running tests in a real browser provides accuracy but can be slower compared to headless testing tools, especially for large test suites.

Learning Curve for Non-JavaScript Developers

While Cypress is user-friendly for JavaScript developers, those from other backgrounds might find it challenging initially.

Conclusion

Cypress offers a powerful, developer-friendly approach to UI testing with its ease of use, robust features, and strong community support. Its ability to provide fast, reliable tests makes it an excellent choice for continuous UI testing in many web development scenarios.

However, its limitations in cross-domain testing, mobile app support, and language options mean it may not be the perfect fit for every project. Teams should carefully consider their specific needs and the nature of their application when deciding whether to adopt Cypress for continuous UI testing.

Ultimately, the decision to use Cypress should be based on your project requirements, team expertise, and the specific challenges you're trying to address in your testing process. When used appropriately, Cypress can significantly enhance the quality and reliability of web applications through effective continuous UI testing.