TEST DATA LOSS

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Issue Summary

Test data isn’t secured so that it has to be generated again and again.

Category

Process

Examples

1. Testers create new data every time because it's too difficult to check if test data is already available.
2. Every tester has his own data portfolio and doesn't share it with test automation.
3. Anonimized production data is used and it has to be generated anew every time.

Questions

How is test data structured? Text files? Databases? Other?
Are there naming and documentation standards?
Who creates the data? Who uses it?

Resolving Patterns

Most recommended:

• LAZY AUTOMATOR: Apply this pattern if you want to resolve the issue once and for all. It contains all the other resolving patterns!

Other useful patterns:

• DESIGN FOR REUSE: This pattern should have been applied from the very beginning of the automation effort. Still, if you haven't, do it for all new automation projects. Use it also every time you have to refactor something.
• DON'T REINVENT THE WHEEL: use this pattern as often as possible!
• GOOD DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: Again a pattern that should have been applied from the start. If you didn't, do so now!
• GOOD PROGRAMMING PRACTICES: same as for GOOD DEVELOPMENT PROCESS!

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