Overcome Testing Challenges with Automation
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the challenges of testing in Salesforce.
- Explain how test automation can help overcome these challenges.
- Explain the basic features of Provar’s products.
Automate Testing
Testing in Salesforce is not a straightforward or simple process. There are a number of obstacles that can potentially cause your apps to fail, even if they’ve been tested previously. Provar recommends automating the process to ensure that you’re as efficient as possible.
More importantly, finding the right test automation platform can help you overcome some common challenges that developers encounter when testing on Salesforce.
Challenge #1: Complex DOM Structure
Salesforce has a complex Document Object Model, or DOM structure, in comparison to other applications. A DOM organizes all objects on a website into a type of data structure called a tree. This tree places every object in a hierarchy under another object. Because of this structure, inspecting web elements is not a simple process.
One of the great strengths of the Salesforce Platform is that it allows you to create customizations using clicks not code. One of the advantages of declarative development is that it uses metadata to build web pages instead of requiring you to write code. For example, you can move an element from the left side of a web page to the right side, and you don’t have to worry about changing any code. All you have to do is tell Salesforce where you want an element, and the code and DOM of a web page is rebuilt for you when Salesforce renders the page from the metadata.
While declarative development makes it easier to customize Salesforce, it can also be a challenge for some automated testing tools that rely on the DOM. Instead, find an automation platform that uses the metadata that comes directly from Salesforce. This ensures that your tests are not dependent on the DOM structure.
Challenge #2: Internal Framework Changes
With the shift from Classic to Lightning, internal frameworks also transitioned. For example, Aura to Lightning Web Components, or LWC. If you haven’t made that shift yet, or you anticipate changing over, these changes can lead to the breaking of your locators. This means your test scripts will need to be re-created.
Along the same lines, when you have an automated testing platform, like Provar Automation, that uses Salesforce metadata, the test scripts that you’ve used in Classic will work just fine in Lightning. You will not have to rework your scripts because of a framework change.
Challenge #3: Objects Behind Shadow DOM
Some Salesforce applications have changed the DOM structure to Shadow DOM. A Shadow DOM allows hidden data to attach to elements in the regular DOM tree. This means any script you have previously created will break if you are using a coded automation framework.
This issue is another reason to implement a testing solution that uses Salesforce metadata. Scripts created in the past will work as intended, and you won’t need to worry about whether your scripts were created in a shadow DOM structure or a regular DOM structure. You can directly execute old test scripts and create new ones without issue.
Challenge #4: 3x Releases Every Year
Salesforce has three major releases per year. Even in a best case scenario, your applications will need to be retested as these releases may impact their functionality. An automated testing tool will help you perform the numerous regression and functional tests you’ll want to run.
When your testing solution is also aligned to Salesforce releases, this challenge is automatically overcome!
Salesforce Testing Made Simple
In the video below, Provar shares more best practices for testing in Salesforce, using their Provar Automation platform. Michael Dailey, Director of Solution Engineering at Provar, will walk you through relevant use cases and show you how to make your Salesforce testing experience efficient and successful for everyone involved.