Web3 is weird. But weird is good. Because it often signifies change (and by god, do we need it now). Everything humans ever come up with was odd at first. Then, it changed the world. And while many criticize the idea of Web3 for its crude, still-in-development state, nothing is made in seconds. Good things take time and effort. And good Web3 projects need expertise, creativity, and remarkable testing specialists.
The entire concept of Web3 is in progress. So are its testing procedures. But it doesn’t stop QA professionals from helping you create a noteworthy project. And while AI products collect data, our QA services act.
The first aspect to pay attention to is Web3 testing’s eccentricities.
dApps operate on decentralized (P2P) blockchains. This means that it’s difficult to control the entire testing environment and QA engineers:
The core pillar of Web3 is personal privacy and control. And while security is integral for any digital interaction, for Web3 testers it becomes the holy grail.
One of the downsides of Web3’s ongoing evolution is its testing tools being far from mature.
Plus, we can’t forget about the scalability issue and the beautifully intricate business logic of decentralized projects.
Web3 quality assurance and blockchain testing are challenging. But a difficult task can be an obstacle only to those who don’t care enough about the end goal. And that’s not us. Our mission is high-quality projects. No matter how tough the road is, if the finish line is a memorable, inspiring service, we’ll do anything to reach it.
In life, a challenge is an opportunity to do and be better. In software development, it’s a chance to create something visionary. And given the dApps’ “magical beast” status, a well-executed Web3 project is a thing to behold.
Web3 became “a thing” in 2014. And to this day, it’s in the early stages of development. It’s great to see Web3 progressing to tangible results. But for now, new protocols, standards, and applications that pop up daily translate to a lack of stability. And the testing methodologies and tools specifically designed for Web3 are struggling to keep pace with it.
Decentralization is good, in general. But it’s bad for efficiency. The nature of blockchain tech means there’s no central authority to guarantee uptime or fix bugs quickly. Testing environments, especially testnets, might experience outages or instability. And mending issues in immutable smart contracts may require complex workarounds.
Traditional tools won’t be much help for Web3 testing services. They aren’t tailored to the decentralized nature and complex interactions between smart contracts and blockchain networks. While there are some Web3 automation tools, they’re far from being as comprehensive as conventional options. Thus, most projects rely on manual blockchain testing services.
Since Web3 testing often depends on manual efforts, dApps are commonly slow burners. First, it’s beyond taxing to find skilled specialists who are proficient in both Web3 and traditional testing methodologies. Second, even if you’re lucky enough to hire QA engineers who can fully handle your needs, the Web3 testing process is inherently time-consuming.
Not every QA company wants to tackle the “disarray” of Web3 quality control. And not every Web3 QA expert is an actual expert.
Testing specialists for dApps are just hard to come by. They need a solid understanding of:
Plus, such professionals need to have an open mind. As they won’t have that perfect control over their testing environment. They won’t have an abundance of tools available. And, most likely, they’ll have to be creative with using what they have to solve an atypical problem.
No matter how passionate you are about your dApp, a positive attitude won’t get you much (but it certainly won’t hurt). There’s this curious sentiment that Web3 projects need something else entirely to prosper. But when you get an exotic pet, you don’t go looking for shamans and witches. All you gotta do is secure proper nutrition, cleanliness, and a good amount of love.
Web3 testing isn’t, in fact, too different from traditional techniques. Yes, it has its oddities. But every service that ever lasted had two elements secured: it delivered value, and it did so gracefully. In other words, you ought to deliver a project that’s fully functional (serves a purpose) and that’s executed with quality at the forefront.
For that, there are a couple of things you could rely on.
QA and QC are the electrons and protons of the IT universe. That is, a working, fine product doesn’t exist without them. And while Web3 testing is definitely a more distant galaxy than, say, checking an iPhone app, the same laws of quality still apply.
QA is about the preparation of necessary procedures to achieve quality. It involves:
QC, on the other hand, focuses on reacting to results, for example:
In short, QA and QC help prepare your product for the journey ahead and ensure it arrives at its destination in the best state possible.
Due to the limited selection of tools and restricted possibilities for automation, manual checks are a big part of Web3 testing services. And while everyone is raving about automated tests, we keep saying that manual QA often goes underrated. So, we’re glad it has the chance to shine in dApps’ assessments.
For Web3, manual testing is often the only option. This means that working with professional software QA services is the difference between a lasting project and “another flop.” So, be sure to cooperate with an experienced Web3 testing company and enjoy the benefits of a human touch for your product.
For Web3 QA, automated testing (AT) is like a dragon with clipped wings and three legs. It won’t do much, but it can still be quite useful (whether to scare off intruders or take care of simpler testing tasks). AT isn’t off-limits for dApps. And it can become a productivity booster if used right. Test automation services are great for:
AT can take care of light tasks, while Web3 testers are free to focus on more complex scenarios that advance your project.
General testing is about checking your product from different angles, so to speak. It includes
functional and non-functional elements, providing a well-rounded view of the dApp’s quality.
In short, general Web3 testing investigates your project from top to bottom. And the main goal is to ensure it delivers to stakeholders and users.
A successful Web3 product requires specific expertise in blockchain testing and smart contracts. And as we’ve mentioned, finding talent for this niche isn’t easy. The team augmentation service brings in QA engineers with specialized skills to complement your team.
For Web3, QA outsourcing can be extra valuable as it:
Overall, team augmentation is quite elegant and useful. If you struggle with locating the right people for your project, turn to Web3 testing vendors. They already have needed experts on call or possess a pre-vetted candidate pool. Also, a Web3 testing company can even help you manage the outside team in terms of:
Remember we said that for blockchain QA testing, development teams might need to adapt existing tools and techniques to Web3 peculiarities? Well, testing procedures are the testament to that. As your “trivial” tests for classic projects work perfectly for dApps (with some adjustments, of course).
Also, a side note. Just think about how incredible it is that QA specialists can do it. What a magnificent demonstration of human creativity and ingenuity (AI could never).
You shouldn’t think about these features as the only ones needing testing. Rather, these are the elements to focus on. Some of them are paramount for a productive dApp. And some of them are unique to Web3 platforms.
This is the core functionality that the dApp is designed to deliver. Testing ensures it works reliably and meets business objectives. For example, a DeFi platform’s priority needs to be rigorous testing of its lending and borrowing functionalities.
Say whatever you like, but people do judge every book by its cover. That’s why securing a user-friendly and bug-free interface is arguably more important than providing a perfectly operating app. People can tolerate an occasional bug. But a clunky or malfunctioning interface can infuriate users. And that means curbed product adoption.
Self-executing contracts are the backbone of dApps. They dictate how user interactions, transactions, and data management occur within the application. Without them, the dApp wouldn’t know how to execute its intended purpose.
These are the underlying technologies powering your dApp. And if they don’t function properly, well, your project won’t either. Testing ensures the dApp interacts with the blockchain network correctly and runs as expected within the protocol’s limitations.
If your product interacts with multiple blockchains, you ought to make sure it can do so elegantly. Compatibility issues can hinder the dApp’s functionality and UX. So, you should ensure that your project can productively communicate with other environments.
Many dApps leverage functionalities from other blockchains or services, like oracles or token bridges. Testing chain integrations ensures the dApp can communicate with external systems properly and retrieve or exchange data as intended. It’ll also help prevent interoperability issues.
Web3 applications often deal with sensitive user data, such as wallet addresses, financial information, and personal details. Thus, you need to make sure your project implements proper data security practices to protect user information. But, a balance also needs to be struck. Overly restrictive data practices might hinder user experience or functionality.
User testing helps identify usability issues, confusing elements, and areas for improvement in the user experience. Understanding user behavior allows for a more intuitive and user-friendly design.
Web3 operates in a nascent regulatory landscape. Hence, you ought to continuously validate your dApp’s compliance. Test it regularly to secure adherence to relevant regulations and ethical practices.
Our QA team always wants the best for your project. So, even if we can’t help your product become the finest version of itself by hand, we can share insights from our Web3 testing practice.
And if you feel like you need some help with implementing and executing these best practices, never hesitate to seek support from seasoned Web3 testing experts. You know what they say: either do it well or don’t do it at all. And we stick to the first option unfailingly.
If you’re looking into partnering up with a Web3 testing company, it might be helpful to know what to expect. So, let’s overview the cooperation process. Just mind that we’ll be using our procedures as an example. As we can’t speak for every vendor.
Thus, if your software testing services provider operates via a different protocol – don’t be alarmed. You only need to focus on how well a QA company supports your product’s growth.
Also, when we work with our clients, we always begin with an introductory call. Here, we:
This part you should pay close attention to. The very first dialogue with a Web3 testing vendor will tell you a lot about them:
Briefly, listen carefully. Ask a lot of questions. And make sure your QA partner can give your project the love it deserves.
Now, let’s take a look at a few Web3 testing tools. Mind that they’re not listed in any particular way. These are just some of the options that offer decent features and have proven useful in our experience.
A flexible development environment for Ethereum that excels in testing. It provides features for local blockchain deployment, testing frameworks integration, and gas optimization tools.
A relatively new but powerful testing framework gaining traction. Offers comprehensive testing capabilities, including unit testing, fuzz testing, and formal verification for smart contracts.
A web-based IDE popular for smart contract development. Includes a built-in testing environment for unit testing and debugging smart contracts directly in the browser.
A security-focused testing tool specifically designed for smart contracts. It analyzes code for potential vulnerabilities like integer overflows, reentrancy attacks, and denial-of-service vulnerabilities.
It offers a local blockchain emulator, allowing developers to deploy and test smart contracts in a simulated environment. This can be particularly valuable for early-stage development and unit testing.
Just a reminder: don’t feel weird about using a combination of tools. It may seem logical to find your one and only perfect option. But in reality, that happens extremely rarely. You can mix and match multiple programs. Just focus on those that cover your needs, fit your budget, and don’t make your team suffer through clunky design choices.
You should also know what to look for in your QA specialists. And you ought to be especially (!) vigilant here. After all, it’s like hiring a babysitter for your kid – you’d want only the best for them.
So, when reviewing a candidate, make sure they possess these skills and qualities. Most importantly, make sure they’ll offer your child project proper care.
We know that working with an “outsider” might be worrisome. It’s actually a common sentiment for many companies. But we also know the values of external expertise for your budget, team, product, and sanity.
So, here’re a few tips on how to find a Web3 testing company for you and build trust.
When you consider hiring outside expertise, there’s this factor of the “unknown” to it. You don’t know if the person will fit. You don’t know whether they’ll deliver. And you’ll wonder whether it was worth it.
But when you work with a veteran Web3 testing vendor, all these concerns disappear. Simply because experienced QA companies know how to address your every need. So, the one real task for you is to find a good partner. It might now be as simple as you’d like to think. But the time and effort you’ll put into this selection process will be worth it.
To become what dApps strive to be means to build a strong community around them. And there’s no better way to do it than to create an ecosystem of enticing projects. Projects that embody the aspirations of Web3 and deliver joy to users in every aspect.
While you can’t make sure that every decentralized product is genuinely engaging, you can lead by example. You can be the one everybody looks up and wants to be a part of. You just need a good team and a bit of passion. All this you can find at QA Madness.
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