Blockchain applications have become very valuable to organizations and individuals alike. Due to their importance in the day-to-day running of business operations, there is a necessity for continuous checks on these applications. Knowing the nature of blockchain applications, testing becomes imperative to increase usefulness and performance.
Blockchain is a decentralized technology, testing creates the opportunity for a better understanding of its functionalities. Certain technology commands are not allowed on the blockchain. Deletion and updates are not allowed because it is a decentralized data structure that works through a network of nodes and exists at many locations at a time.
There is a need for continuous integration and deployment for the development team, different types of testing can be performed at various stages of developing the software.
However, testing blockchain-based applications cannot be done without tools. A tester needs to apply the proper setup that will enable successful testing.
Basic Tools for Testing Blockchain Application
Ethereum Tester
Ethereum is the most popular platform for building blockchain applications, it has so many tools for app development and testing. This platform is good for so many blockchain testing, such as smart contracts, backend, web3 integration, and API. It is easy to set up open source, just as Github reports, it supports mining as well as other testing functions.
IBM Highperledger Composer
This open-source tool enables testing of a blockchain network with a minimum amount of tools. Testing is done through a composer which is a framework that enables blockchain app development that involves modeling language, a UI composer, and a command-line interface. This tool is mainly used for testing apps before they are launched, most effective in three areas, interactive testing, automated system tests, and automated unit testing.
Exonum Testkit
This tool enables you to test API and transaction execution without network operation and consensus algorithm. The forte of the Exonum Testkit tests the operation of the entire service.
BitcoinJ
BitcoinJ is a Java-based testing tool for Bitcoin-based apps, it enables interaction with the bitcoin network and test transactions. You can use this tool without downloading the standard BTC core files, it also has a user forum where you can always ask for help if you encounter any challenge.
Ganache (previously TestRPC)
Ganache is built to test Ethereum contracts locally, it enables blockchain that allows anyone to use different accounts for testing.
Populus
This is an easy-to-implement tool built on the test framework, with Ethereum testing functionality. Also designed in a particular way to test contract deployment.
Truffle
Truffle is designed for Ethereum developers, with features such as automated contract testing. This is very useful for development not just for testing functions.
Conclusion
The blockchain is a new technology empowering so many key industries, testing applications based on blockchain is important to ensure errors and defects are dictated and eliminated. Conducting thorough testing will help a company avoid poor blockchain operations and the negative effect on app functionality. There are so many tools available for blockchain testing, the choice of these tools will depend on the development strategy of a software tester.
