Welcome to our Blog

Maximilian Leodolter

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4min read

Test Data Management: Building Reliable Testing from the Ground Up

In software testing, data is everything. Yet, in practice, the availability and quality of test data is one of the most underestimated challenges. Whether you’re testing a banking app or a high-volume logistics system, the question isn’t just what to test—but also with what data. This post explores the essentials of test data management: why it matters, common hurdles, and practical strategies to improve your process. Why Test Data Management Matters Imagine trying to validate a new personalized offer feature, only to find there are no matching customer profiles in the test database. Or attempting a regression test but running out of usable data halfway through. These aren’t rare edge cases—they’re daily obstacles for testers. Effective test data management ensures:

Jose Burner

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4min read

Shifting Left: The right thing to do?

When you think about software testing, where does it sit in your development process? At the end? Right before go-live? If so, you’re not alone—and you’re also not getting the most out of your quality assurance efforts. Let’s rewind for a moment. In many traditional workflows, testing is something that happens after the “real work” is done—after the features are coded, interfaces designed, and integrations built. But what if we told you that the most impactful way to improve quality is to start testing much earlier? Welcome to the shift-left approach. What “Shifting Left” Really Means In simple terms, shifting left is about moving quality assurance activities closer to the start of the development cycle. Instead of waiting for the code to be finished before bringing in testers, you invite them into the conversation from day one.

Maximilian Leodolter

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5min read

How Test Automation Keeps Your SDLC on Track

Shipping good software is hard. Shipping it fast and still keeping quality high? That’s even harder. If you're working in tech, you've probably felt the pressure. Stakeholders want faster releases. Customers expect bug-free experiences. Developers are juggling feature work, bug fixes, and fire drills. QA is stuck trying to keep everything from falling apart. And somewhere in the middle of it all is your software development life cycle (SDLC), trying to hold things together. This is where test automation starts to make a real impact—not just as a tool, but as a mindset. The Everyday SDLC Struggles

Jose Burner

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4min read

Test Scripts: A Cornerstone of Effective Software Testing

As someone who's been in the trenches of software testing, I can attest that test scripts are the unsung heroes of our field. They provide the structured instructions we need to ensure that software functions as intended, giving us confidence that our applications will meet user expectations. In this guide, I'll share my insights on how to harness the power of test scripts for beginners. Understanding Test Scripts When I first started out, I was overwhelmed by the complexity of software testing. But once I grasped the concept of test scripts, everything fell into place. A test script is essentially a detailed guide that outlines the exact steps testers need to follow to validate a particular feature or functionality within a software application. There are two main types: Manual Test Scripts: These are like recipes for testing. You follow each step manually, interacting with the application just like an end-user would. Automated Test Scripts: These are written in programming languages and executed by automation tools, allowing for fast and efficient testing processes.

Maximilian Leodolter

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6min read

The Hidden Cost of Flaky Tests: How to Identify and Fix Them

Introduction: The Nightmare of Flaky Tests   Imagine this: Your team has a solid CI/CD pipeline in place, with automated tests running smoothly—until they don’t. A test that passed yesterday is now failing, and nobody changed the code. After multiple reruns, the test magically passes again. Welcome to the frustrating world of flaky tests.   Flaky tests are tests that produce inconsistent results, sometimes passing and sometimes failing without any meaningful code changes. They erode trust in test suites, waste engineering time, and slow down development. In this post, we’ll explore why flaky tests occur, how to systematically identify them, and—most importantly—how to fix them.   Why Are Flaky Tests a Big Problem?   Flaky tests introduce multiple challenges, including:  

Maximilian Leodolter

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6min read

When to Unit, E2E, and Integration Test

TL;DR Unit Tests: Small, fast, and focused on individual functions or components. Break often when code changes, making refactoring harder. Good at catching small bugs, but don’t guarantee the system works as a whole. Integration Tests: Test multiple components together, ensuring they interact correctly. Slower than unit tests but catch real-world issues better. Easier to debug than E2E tests. E2E Tests: Simulate full user workflows across the system. Find real-world failures but are slow, flaky, and hard to maintain. Often ignored when they break too frequently.

Jose Burner

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7min read

Integrating AI into Your Projects With OpenRouter and DeepSeek-R1

In the previous parts of this series, we explored the potential of AI agents in software testing, discussed real-world applications, and delved into essential AI concepts. While commercial AI testing tools dominate the market, open-source alternatives are now making professional-grade AI testing accessible to everyone. Now, let's get practical and explore how you can integrate open-source AI technologies into your own projects.

Jose Burner

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5min read

Implementing AI Agents in Software Testing

In part 1, we explored the potential of AI agents in software testing. Now, let's take a closer look at how you can integrate these intelligent systems into your QA processes, explore real-world applications and dive deeper into the specific techniques and technologies—such as NLP, HITL and computer vision—that make AI-driven testing possible. Real-World Applications of Popular AI Agents "Testim is helping to make the CI/CD dream possible—you can’t get to continuous delivery without proper test coverage." - Ran Mizrachi, Principal Software Engineer Manager @Microsoft "Applitools Ultrafast Grid integrates seamlessly with our testing framework and consists of everything I need to achieve comprehensive cross-browser coverage at the speed of a single test." - Omri Aharon, Frontend Team Leader @Autodesk "Our partnership with Functionize has marked a pivotal shift in our QA processes. We’re navigating the complexities of global digital landscapes with unprecedented efficiency and precision. Our testing is dramatically accelerated, times reduced from hours to minutes, and our coverage expanded across global markets with agility. This leap in efficiency is not just a win for McAfee but a forward step in ensuring a secure digital world more swiftly and effectively." - Venkatesh Hebbar, Senior QA Manager @McAfee

Jose Burner

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4min read

Introduction to AI Agents for Testing

In today's fast-paced world, speed, efficiency, and reliability are more important than ever, this is especially true when it comes to software development and testing. This is where AI agents come in, helping to streamline the testing process and significantly cut down on the time and costs associated with traditional testing methods. What are AI Agents? Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents are software systems designed to perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously, often emulating human intelligence. These agents can simulate user interactions, analyze code, predict potential failures, and even generate test cases on their own. Unlike traditional automated testing tools, which follow predefined scripts, AI agents can adapt and learn from data, making them more flexible and capable of handling complex scenarios. Benefits of AI Agents in Testing AI agents can execute tasks much faster than human testers, which can greatly reduce the time spent on repetitive or boring tasks.

Maximilian Leodolter

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5min read

Get Started With Playwright

As cybersecurity threats evolve, integrating security into every stage of software development has become essential. Discover how adopting DevSecOps can help your team build secure software efficiently by embedding security practices throughout the development lifecycle. #DevSecOps #CyberSecurity #SoftwareDevelopment Introduction In today's fast-paced digital landscape, security breaches and cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Traditional approaches to software development often treat security as an afterthought, leading to vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors. Enter DevSecOps, a transformative approach that integrates security into every phase of the software development lifecycle. By adopting DevSecOps, organizations can build secure, resilient, and compliant software without compromising on speed and agility. What is DevSecOps? DevSecOps stands for Development, Security, and Operations. It is an extension of the DevOps culture, emphasizing the importance of integrating security practices and tools into the DevOps pipeline. The primary goal of DevSecOps is to ensure that security is a shared responsibility across all teams involved in the software development process, from developers and testers to operations and security professionals. Key Principles of DevSecOps

Maximilian Leodolter

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4min read

Overview NextJS + Playwright

The role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is pivotal in steering a company's technological direction and innovation. However, the debate on whether a CTO needs to be deeply technical or more strategically oriented is ongoing. Let's explore the importance of having a technical CTO and whether your tech-management team needs to possess technical expertise to drive success. Understanding the Role of a CTO A CTO is responsible for overseeing the technological aspects of a company, including strategy, development, and implementation. Their role can vary significantly depending on the company's size, industry, and stage of growth. Generally, a CTO's responsibilities include: Setting the technical vision and strategy Leading the technology development team

Maximilian Leodolter

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3min read

The easiest way I know to test your API

I get it: tools like Insomnia and Postman are fantastic. They provide a collaborative and user-friendly solution for a complex problem: testing your REST API. But what if there was an alternative—something easier to learn, yet powerful, and directly integrated into your code editor? If that idea excites you, check out this VS Code plugin. It’s amazing: it integrates seamlessly with your project, supports version control, and even allows you to use variables. Getting Started After installing the plugin, you're almost ready to go. Simply open an existing project or create a new one, then add a file ending in .http (e.g., localhost.http). Open that file in VS Code and try your first request:

Tino Böhme

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5min read

Enhancing QA with Continuous Testing

In the ever-evolving world of software development, quality assurance (QA) is a critical component to ensure the delivery of robust and reliable software. Traditional QA processes often fall short in today's fast-paced environment, where rapid releases and continuous integration are the norms. This is where continuous testing comes into play, revolutionizing the way QA is performed by embedding testing activities throughout the development lifecycle. What is Continuous Testing? Continuous testing is the process of executing automated tests as part of the software delivery pipeline to obtain immediate feedback on the business risks associated with a software release candidate. This practice is integral to Agile and DevOps methodologies, where the emphasis is on frequent, incremental changes and fast feedback loops. Key Principles of Continuous Testing Automation Extensive use of automated tests to ensure comprehensive coverage and quick feedback.

Manuel Moser

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5min read

Adopting DevSecOps for Secure Software Development

As cybersecurity threats evolve, integrating security into every stage of software development has become essential. Discover how adopting DevSecOps can help your team build secure software efficiently by embedding security practices throughout the development lifecycle. #DevSecOps #CyberSecurity #SoftwareDevelopment Introduction In today's fast-paced digital landscape, security breaches and cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Traditional approaches to software development often treat security as an afterthought, leading to vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors. Enter DevSecOps, a transformative approach that integrates security into every phase of the software development lifecycle. By adopting DevSecOps, organizations can build secure, resilient, and compliant software without compromising on speed and agility. What is DevSecOps? DevSecOps stands for Development, Security, and Operations. It is an extension of the DevOps culture, emphasizing the importance of integrating security practices and tools into the DevOps pipeline. The primary goal of DevSecOps is to ensure that security is a shared responsibility across all teams involved in the software development process, from developers and testers to operations and security professionals. Key Principles of DevSecOps

Maximilian Leodolter

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4min read

Do You Need A Technical CTO?

The role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is pivotal in steering a company's technological direction and innovation. However, the debate on whether a CTO needs to be deeply technical or more strategically oriented is ongoing. Let's explore the importance of having a technical CTO and whether your tech-management team needs to possess technical expertise to drive success. Understanding the Role of a CTO A CTO is responsible for overseeing the technological aspects of a company, including strategy, development, and implementation. Their role can vary significantly depending on the company's size, industry, and stage of growth. Generally, a CTO's responsibilities include: Setting the technical vision and strategy Leading the technology development team

Maximilian Leodolter

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4min read

Deploy Your C# Blazor App To Vercel

Vercel, known for its seamless deployment and scalability, is a popular choice among developers. While Vercel primarily supports JavaScript frameworks, it’s entirely possible to deploy C# applications too. Let's dive into how you can deploy your C# projects to Vercel, making your build fast and shipping faster. Why Choose Vercel? Vercel offers a robust platform for deploying applications with ease. Its features include: Automated Deployments: Every push to your Git repository can automatically deploy your app. Scalability: Vercel’s infrastructure scales your application effortlessly.

Markus Bramberger

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16min read

Angular 18: From The Perspective Of A Beginner

With the release of Angular 18, there's a fresh buzz in the community, especially among beginners. So, what's new in Angular 18, and why should you, as a newbie, care? Let's dive in and find out. What is Angular 18? Angular 18 is the latest major release of the Angular framework, a platform for building mobile and desktop web applications. Known for its robustness and comprehensive suite of tools, Angular continues to be a favorite among developers. This new version brings several updates and enhancements designed to make development smoother and more efficient. Features of Angular 18 1. Component Components are truly the heart of Angular applications. They enable the creation of reusable UI building blocks that have their own logic and layout. An Angular component consists of three main parts: a class that controls the data and logic, an HTML template that defines the view, and optionally a CSS stylesheet for styling the view.

Maximilian Leodolter

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4min read

The Role of Emotional Intelligence In Project Management

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is increasingly recognized as a key factor in project management success. Learn how EQ can enhance team collaboration, conflict resolution, and overall project outcomes. Introduction to Emotional Intelligence in Project Management In the fast-paced world of project management, technical skills alone are no longer enough to ensure success. While a project manager must be proficient in planning, execution, and resource management, emotional intelligence (EQ) has emerged as a critical component that can significantly influence project outcomes. But what exactly is emotional intelligence, and why is it so crucial in the realm of project management? Understanding Emotional Intelligence What is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand, manage, and effectively express one's own emotions, as well as engage and navigate successfully with those of others. EQ comprises several key components:

Maximilian Leodolter

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4min read

Azure Certifications In A Nutshell

Microsoft offers a range of certifications tailored to different roles and expertise levels. In this article, we'll provide a compressed overview of some key Azure certifications and their benefits. Why Pursue Azure Certifications? Azure certifications offer several advantages: Validation of Skills: Certifications demonstrate your expertise in specific Azure services and solutions. Career Advancement: Certified professionals are often preferred by employers, leading to better job opportunities and higher salaries.

Maximilian Leodolter

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5min read

How To Attract Tech Talent

If you’re actively looking for tech talent, here are some key strategies to help you attract and retain the best in the industry. Create an Attractive Employer Brand Develop a Strong Company Culture A positive and inclusive company culture is a significant factor in attracting tech talent. Highlight your company’s values, mission, and the benefits of working with your team. Showcase a collaborative and innovative work environment where employees feel valued and motivated. Showcase Employee Success Stories

Maximilian Leodolter

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5min read

5 Technical Interview Questions For C# Developers

Preparing for a technical interview can be daunting, especially when you're aiming to demonstrate your expertise as a C# developer. To help you get ready, we've compiled a list of five intermediate-level questions that are commonly asked in technical interviews. By familiarizing yourself with these topics, you'll be better equipped to tackle challenging questions and impress your interviewers. Question 1: Explain the difference between abstract class and interface in C#. Understanding the difference between abstract classes and interfaces is fundamental for C# developers, as both are used to define contracts and provide polymorphic behavior. Abstract Class: Can have both abstract methods (without implementation) and non-abstract methods (with implementation). Can contain fields, constructors, and destructors.

Maximilian Leodolter

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4min read

MacOS: Setup for a minimalistic CLI

For macOS users, creating a minimalistic yet powerful CLI environment is easier than you might think. Let's dive into how you can set up your macOS to become a CLI poweruser. <a name="why-go-minimalistic"></a> Why Go Minimalistic? A minimalistic CLI setup focuses on simplicity, efficiency, and performance. By stripping away unnecessary bloat and optimizing your tools, you can achieve a cleaner, faster, and more intuitive command-line experience. This approach not only enhances productivity but also reduces distractions, allowing you to focus on what's important. <a name="key-tools-for-a-minimalistic-cli-setup"></a> Key Tools for a Minimalistic CLI Setup

Maximilian Leodolter

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4min read

HTMX: Is Anti-JS the way?

The rise of HTMX offers a fresh perspective, advocating for a reduced reliance on JavaScript. Is this anti-JS approach the future of web development? Let's explore HTMX and see how it proposes to revolutionize the way we write websites. <a name="what-is-htmx"></a> What is HTMX? HTMX is a library that allows you to access modern browser features directly from HTML, simplifying the process of building dynamic web applications. By enabling HTML to perform tasks traditionally handled by JavaScript, HTMX provides a more straightforward and maintainable approach to web development. <a name="key-features-of-htmx"></a> Key Features of HTMX

Maximilian Leodolter

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5min read

3 Entity Framework Hacks

Entity Framework (EF) is a popular Object-Relational Mapper (ORM) for .NET, making it easier for developers to work with databases using .NET objects. However, to truly leverage its full potential, there are some advanced techniques and hacks that can make your development process smoother and more efficient. Here are three Entity Framework hacks every C# developer should know. Optimize Queries with Eager Loading One common performance pitfall in Entity Framework is the N+1 query problem, which occurs when lazy loading is used excessively. Lazy loading can result in multiple database queries being executed, leading to performance degradation. To avoid this, you can use eager loading to optimize your queries. What is Eager Loading? Eager loading allows you to load related entities as part of the initial query, reducing the number of queries sent to the database. This can be done using the Include method in your LINQ queries. How to Use Eager Loading

Maximilian Leodolter

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5min read

Azure: Crash Overview

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses operate, offering scalability, efficiency, and flexibility. Among the major players in this arena, Microsoft Azure stands out as a robust and versatile cloud platform. Whether you're a developer, IT professional, or business owner, understanding Azure's capabilities can open up a world of possibilities. Let’s take a quick dive into Azure and see why it's considered a giant in the cloud computing world. What is Microsoft Azure? Microsoft Azure is a comprehensive cloud computing platform providing a wide range of services to help businesses build, deploy, and manage applications. From virtual machines and databases to AI and machine learning tools, Azure offers over 200 services that cater to various business needs. Key Features of Azure Wide Range of Services

Maximilian Leodolter

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5min read

Gleam: A Short Intro

In the fast-evolving world of software development, new tools and frameworks emerge regularly, each promising to make our lives easier and our code cleaner. Among these, Gleam has recently caught the attention of developers, quickly gaining a reputation as a game-changer. So, what’s all the buzz about? What is Gleam? Gleam is a statically typed programming language that runs on the Erlang Virtual Machine (BEAM). Designed for building reliable and maintainable applications, it combines the robustness of static typing with the concurrency model of Erlang, making it an attractive option for developers looking for performance and reliability. Why Gleam Stands Out Static Typing with Erlang’s Concurrency Model

Maximilian Leodolter

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2min read

onIT: More Than An IT Service Provider

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