Learn How To Master Test Writing with GitHub Copilot by Michelle Duke | Testμ 2024

The primary limitation of GitHub Copilot in test writing is that it lacks contextual understanding of the application beyond the immediate code snippet it’s working on. Testers should not rely on it blindly—manual review and modification are essential. Additionally, it might not capture complex business logic or non-functional requirements like performance and security testing.

The learning curve is moderate. For beginners, GitHub Copilot can be a helpful tool to assist in writing basic test scripts, but it requires an understanding of the underlying code and testing principles to craft advanced, reliable tests. As testers grow more familiar with it, they’ll better understand how to give it the right prompts and make necessary adjustments.

Ultimately, human testers or developers must review the code generated by GitHub Copilot. While Copilot can assist with speed and efficiency, it’s not infallible. Code reviews are essential to ensure quality, accuracy, and that the generated tests meet all project-specific requirements.

Yes, GitHub Copilot can assist in generating locators for UI elements in frameworks like Playwright. However, testers should be cautious about how these locators are generated—ensuring that they are resilient, maintainable, and not prone to frequent changes based on minor UI tweaks.

Developers should use GitHub Copilot as an assistant, not a replacement for solid coding practices. Always review the tests generated by Copilot, ensure they align with your application’s needs, and validate their logic. Incorporating practices like peer code reviews and running tests against real data can help maintain code quality.

GitHub Copilot can access the immediate code you’re working on, helping you complete or debug code. For example, if a GitHub Actions job fails due to a syntax error or missing function, you could prompt Copilot to identify and suggest a fix based on the error logs. However, it won’t have full context of your entire CI/CD pipeline unless explicitly provided in the code.

GitHub Copilot doesn’t have deep understanding of what you’re testing beyond the immediate code it’s interacting with. It works based on the patterns it identifies from similar code in its dataset. Providing clear and contextual prompts is crucial to generating meaningful test cases.

Yes, Copilot can assist with generating BDD-style tests and even write feature files based on Gherkin syntax. However, it requires careful prompting to ensure the generated feature files align with the actual behavior and expectations of the application.

GitHub Copilot can serve as a helpful assistant for users learning to write tests by providing suggestions and completing code. However, it’s most effective when combined with hands-on experience and guided learning from more experienced developers or resources.

GitHub Copilot and its capabilities in API testing with Postman, particularly when integrated with VS Code. GitHub Copilot can significantly enhance the coding experience by providing intelligent code suggestions, which can help streamline the process of writing API test scripts directly in VS Code. This feature allows developers to generate test cases more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of errors in the code.

While GitHub Copilot does not directly execute API tests in Postman, it can assist you in writing the necessary code for API calls and test scripts that you can then run in Postman. This integration between Copilot and VS Code can enhance productivity by enabling faster test case generation and simplifying the overall testing workflow.

For those new to API testing, GitHub Copilot can serve as a valuable resource by offering examples and best practices, helping users learn how to effectively test APIs. In summary, while GitHub Copilot enhances the coding experience in VS Code, its primary role is to assist in the development of test scripts rather than directly executing API tests in

Thank you for your question about how junior developers can assess the code quality generated by GitHub Copilot. Here are some strategies they can use:

First, it’s crucial for junior developers to have a solid understanding of coding fundamentals. This knowledge helps them recognize good practices and identify potential issues in the code produced by Copilot.

Next, reviewing the generated code is essential. Developers should evaluate the code for logical flow, readability, and adherence to coding standards, comparing it against established best practices.

Additionally, testing the code is critical. Running unit tests and writing test cases to validate functionality helps ensure reliability and enhances understanding.

Finally, seeking feedback from more experienced colleagues is invaluable. Collaborating with mentors fosters learning and builds confidence in evaluating code quality.

In summary, junior developers can effectively assess Copilot-generated code by leveraging their knowledge, reviewing outputs, conducting thorough testing, and seeking peer feedback.

Thank you for the Insightful session, Here is the answer as per my experience,

Yes, GitHub Copilot can write tests without having a README that explains the application, though its accuracy and relevance may depend on the clarity of the existing codebase and comments. Copilot uses AI to understand the context of the code and suggest relevant tests, even if there isn’t explicit documentation. With the GitHub Copilot pitch from LambdaTest, you can further enhance your testing workflow by seamlessly integrating AI-powered test generation and automation, allowing you to save time and improve test coverage without needing extensive documentation.