Is GenAI ready to support testing in software modernization projects?



AI Summary

Summary Note for Webinar on Modernizing Software Development with Gen

Webinar Details

  • Title: Modernizing Software Development with Gen
  • Presenters: Mi (Operations Manager, wfir) and Virgil (Tech Enthusiast)
  • Duration: Session recorded for later viewing.
  • Purpose: To explore how Gen assists in software modernization and testing.

Summary of Key Topics

  • Introduction:
    • Focus on utilizing Gen to enhance developer activities.
    • Review of previous webinar findings on code generation for various development layers.
  • Software Modernization Approach:
    • Emphasizes improving performance, usability, security, and maintainability of legacy systems.
    • Involvement of QA/QC practices at every stage of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
  • Quality Assurance (QA) vs. Quality Control (QC):
    • QA ensures the process used in software development promotes excellence.
    • QC evaluates the actual software for defects.
  • Importance of Testing:
    • Discusses role and types of software testing: functional, non-functional, regression, and automated testing.
    • Best practices include early testing, involving user feedback, and utilizing reports.
  • Testing Frameworks:
    • Various frameworks are outlined, such as JUnit and integration testing frameworks.
    • Framework selection based on the backend (e.g., ABL Unit) versus frontend (e.g., Cypress).
  • Generative AI in Testing:
    • Discussed the advantages of leveraging AI for automatic test generation, data generation, and code analysis capabilities.
    • Highlights of AI enhancing test efficiency, test coverage, and error detection.
  • Challenges with AI Integration:
    • Issues like setup complexity, data quality dependency, and potential biases in AI outputs.

Demonstration**

  • Live Demo:
    • Conducted using Gen tools for creating unit tests and end-to-end testing with Cypress for frontend applications.
    • Demonstrated setup, execution, and QA process improvements using generative AI.

Conclusions**

  • Key Takeaways:
    • Gen can significantly streamline unit test creation, though human review remains essential.
    • Successful outcomes depend on well-structured prompts and understanding existing codebases.
    • Collaboration between developers is crucial in establishing coding standards that support AI-driven development and testing.
  • Next Steps: Encouragement for participants to explore the use of Gen in their projects.