In what circ*mstances are both UAT/DEV and PROD environments actually necessary? (2024)

FAQs

Why have dev test and prod? ›

The Development, Test, Staging, and Production environments collaborate to ensure that the software meets user expectations, performs reliably, and contributes to the overall success of the project.

For those that don't know: UAT/DEV is for developing and testing software, and PROD is where code would be deployed and used by the customers/business. I have the impression that this setup is considered industry standard, which most teams will accept without properly thinking "why".

The UAT test environment is an exact duplicate of production. Test code is not deployed into it for bug fixes or new user stories. The only code that's deployed to UAT is a final release code version. The UAT environment intends to provide end users the ability to test in a production-like environment.

This is where end-users or stakeholders test the application to ensure it meets their expectations and requirements. It should be as close to the production environment as possible. This allows users to provide valuable feedback on the application's functionality and usability in a realistic setting.

Some key benefits of having various test environments provide the following benefits: It offers the necessary setup to run different test cases like E2E, Integration, System, and Load and Performance tests. It provides quick feedback about the functionality and quality of the developed AUT (Application Under Test).

Isolation and Risk Mitigation

Separate environments minimize the risk of unintended changes or bugs affecting end-users. Developers can experiment and make changes in the development environment without impacting the stability of the production environment.

When should UAT be run? UAT is one of the most critical phases of software development and change implementation. It should be run after unit testing so that development teams are satisfied that their code works as expected and after successful QA testing, whether automated, manual, or both.

Without any type of access to production servers, many developers would not be able to do their job effectively. While it's advisable not to grant access to production environments, often, there is simply no way around it, and access has to be granted.

An instance in a development environment allows unrestricted access to and control by a user or a group of users. An instance in a production environment is configured to restrict access to everyone except authorized users and to limit control to system administrators.

The most common environment for User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is usually the staging environment. This is because the staging environment is a near-replica of the production environment and allows users to test the application in a controlled environment before it is deployed to production.

Can testing be done in production environment? ›

Testing in production, or 'production testing,' means evaluating software in its live environment. This practice was once met with skepticism but increasingly recognized for its value. As the software industry evolves rapidly, perceptions about testing in production are changing.

Ensuring Quality Assurance: UAT environment allows comprehensive testing. That is, it fixes bugs and usability issues beforehand. Additionally, feedback from end users ensures a refined and reliable product. Reduced Risks in Production: It acts as a buffer that identifies and rectifies potential issues.

DEV — Development [Software developer] SIT — System Integration Test [Software developer and QA engineer] UAT — User Acceptance Test [Client] PROD — Production [Public user]

The goal of UAT is to ensure software can handle real-world tasks and perform up to development specifications. In UAT, users are given the opportunity to interact with the software before its official release to see if any features have been overlooked or if it contains any bugs.

UAT must be completed before the software can be released to the market. In the Waterfall methodology, UAT is typically the final phase in the software development life cycle. However, in Agile software teams, user acceptance testing is done for each iteration of working software.

Why is DevTest important? DevTest is important because it enables higher levels of efficiency in the software development life cycle (SDLC), it helps to reduce the effect of software errors, and it speed the delivery of new features and bug fixes to customers.

Testing in production is an additional step that catches issues not found during pre-production stages, ensuring the application performs well in the real world.

Product testing encompasses various methods and approaches. It plays a significant role in product development (research and development) and quality assurance. By implementing effective testing strategies, businesses can avoid costly recalls, maintain customer trust, and ensure compliance with industry standards.