Learn how to balance speed and thoroughness when testing pull requests locally. Follow these tips and best practices for code review.

To balance speed and thoroughness when testing pull requests, setting up your local environment correctly is essential. Fetch the latest code, check out the pull request branch, and merge or rebase it with the target branch. Install dependencies, run migrations, and configure necessary settings to ensure the code runs smoothly. This setup helps avoid conflicts and errors from environment differences. In my experience, investing time in a proper setup saves more time later by catching issues early, leading to a smoother review process and more reliable integration. It's a crucial step that enhances both speed and accuracy in code reviews.

Last updated on Aug 1, 2024

How do you balance speed and thoroughness when testing pull requests locally?

Testing pull requests locally is a crucial part of code review, but it can also be time-consuming and challenging. How do you ensure that you test the code changes thoroughly, without spending too much time or missing any bugs? In this article, you will learn some tips and best practices to balance speed and thoroughness when testing pull requests locally.

1 Set up your local environment

Before you start testing, you need to set up your local environment to match the pull request branch and the target branch. This means that you need to fetch the latest code from the remote repository, check out the pull request branch, and merge or rebase it with the target branch. You also need to install any dependencies, run any migrations, and configure any settings that are required for the code to run. This will help you avoid any conflicts or errors that might occur due to differences between your local and remote environments.

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Iain White

Tech Consultant | IT Leader | Mentor | Virtual CTO | Leadership Coach | Project Manager | Scrum Master | IT Strategy | Digital Transformation | IT Governance | Agile | Lean | Theory Of Constraints | SaaS | Brisbane.
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To balance speed and thoroughness when testing pull requests, setting up your local environment correctly is essential. Fetch the latest code, check out the pull request branch, and merge or rebase it with the target branch. Install dependencies, run migrations, and configure necessary settings to ensure the code runs smoothly. This setup helps avoid conflicts and errors from environment differences. In my experience, investing time in a proper setup saves more time later by catching issues early, leading to a smoother review process and more reliable integration. It's a crucial step that enhances both speed and accuracy in code reviews.

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2 Review the code changes

Before you run the code, you should review the code changes and understand what they are supposed to do. You can use a tool like GitHub or GitLab to view the diff and the comments on the pull request. You should look for any obvious errors, inconsistencies, or violations of coding standards. You should also check if the code changes are aligned with the requirements, the design, and the architecture of the project. This will help you identify any potential issues or improvements that you can suggest to the author.

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Yuvaraj Madheswaran

GM Financial
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Understand the Context: Check if the code changes address the requirements specified in the ticket or user story. Ensure that the changes fit within the overall design and architecture of the project. Check for Consistency and Standards: Verify that the code adheres to the project's coding standards. This includes naming conventions, indentation, and documentation. Ensure that best practices are followed. Ensure Alignment with Requirements and Design: Validate that the changes meet the functional requirements. Consider performance, security, and scalability

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3 Run the code and test the functionality

After you review the code changes, you should run the code and test the functionality. You should use a tool like Postman or Curl to make requests to the endpoints that are affected by the code changes. You should also use a browser or a simulator to interact with the user interface and verify that it works as expected. You should test both the happy path and the edge cases, and look for any errors, bugs, or unexpected behaviors. You should also check if the code changes have any impact on the performance, security, or usability of the application.

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Yuvaraj Madheswaran

GM Financial
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Importance of Functional Testing: - Validate that the endpoints handle requests and responses correctly. - Ensure UI elements function as expected for user interactions. - Confirm all functionalities meet the specified requirements. Browser and Simulator Testing: - Test the UI in multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) to ensure cross-browser compatibility. - Use simulators for mobile and tablet interfaces to test responsiveness. - Verify that all UI components are rendering and behaving as expected. Testing Happy Paths and Edge Cases: - Identify and test the primary user flows (e.g., applying for a loan, getting approval notifications). - Test edge cases like submitting incomplete applications or handling invalid data.

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4 Write feedback and suggestions

After you run the code and test the functionality, you should write feedback and suggestions for the author. You should use a tool like GitHub or GitLab to comment on the pull request or the code lines. You should be polite, constructive, and specific. You should praise what works well, point out what needs improvement, and suggest how to fix or enhance the code. You should also explain why you think your feedback or suggestions are relevant and helpful. You should avoid being vague, rude, or personal.

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5 Automate and document your testing process

To save time and ensure consistency, you should automate and document your testing process as much as possible. You should use a tool like Jest or Mocha to write unit tests and integration tests for the code changes. You should also use a tool like Cypress or Selenium to write end-to-end tests for the functionality. You should run these tests locally and check if they pass or fail. You should also document your testing steps and results, and share them with the author and the team. This will help you avoid repeating the same tests, missing any steps, or forgetting any details.

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6 Communicate and collaborate with the author

The last tip to balance speed and thoroughness when testing pull requests locally is to communicate and collaborate with the author. You should use a tool like Slack or Zoom to chat with the author and clarify any doubts or questions. You should also use a tool like GitHub or GitLab to resolve any conflicts or merge issues. You should be respectful, responsive, and supportive. You should also be open to feedback and suggestions from the author, and be willing to learn from them. This will help you build trust, rapport, and quality with the author and the team.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you balance speed and thoroughness when testing pull requests locally?

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1 Set up your local environment

2 Review the code changes

3 Run the code and test the functionality

4 Write feedback and suggestions

5 Automate and document your testing process

6 Communicate and collaborate with the author

7 Here’s what else to consider

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