Test Environments 101: Definition, Types, and Best Practices

A test environment is a space where software undergoes experimental uses to ensure its functionality and quality before deployment. It includes the hardware and operating system on which different versions of an application are deployed for testing purposes. Test environments play a crucial role in continuous deployment, allowing developers to manage and maintain applications effectively. There are four main types of environments: development, testing, staging, and production. Each environment serves a specific purpose in the software development lifecycle. Software tests include performance tests, system integration testing, alpha tests, beta tests, unit tests, accessibility testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and usability testing. These tests help developers identify and fix bugs before deployment. Test Environment Management (TEM) involves setting up and maintaining test environments to ensure their proper functioning and security. Best practices for setting up test environments include focusing on security rather than performance, using feature flags to control access to new features, involving other departments in testing, and establishing effective communication channels among stakeholders. Maintaining test environments requires sanitizing them from each other, using consistent datasets, managing app configurations, optimizing communication, and embracing the philosophy of testing in production with tools like LaunchDarkly's feature management platform.