TechRadar by Devoteam features Cypress as a front-end testing tool designed for web-based applications and services. Developers can quickly set up tests within a CI/CD workflow, making Cypress an effective solution for testing and debugging code.
Cypress supports various types of tests:
- End-to-end tests
- Component tests
- Integration tests
- Unit tests
Importantly, Cypress tests any code running in a web browser, making it highly adaptable.
Key features of Cypress testing tool
Cypress stands out due to its unique features, offering more than traditional testing tools:
Parallel test execution: Cypress runs tests concurrently, reducing testing time and lowering resource use.
Real-time reloading: Cypress refreshes test scripts in real time as they’re created, boosting workflow efficiency and shortening testing cycles. This lets teams identify and fix issues faster.
Interactive test runner: With the built-in test runner, Cypress allows developers to see the application’s state at each test step, simplifying troubleshooting.
Automatic waiting: Unlike older tools requiring manual waits, Cypress automatically waits for elements and actions to complete, reducing manual input.
Time travel playback: Cypress allows users to ‘time travel’ through actions with playback, visually checking each step to pinpoint issues.
Comprehensive DOM snapshots: Cypress captures a DOM snapshot at every test step, enabling visibility into the application’s state throughout testing.
Cross-browser testing: Originally built for Chromium-based browsers, Cypress now supports Edge, Firefox, and Chrome, ensuring compatibility across multiple browsers.
How developers use Cypress
Cypress simplifies and speeds up the web application testing phase. It’s specifically optimised to:
- Set up tests
- Write tests
- Run tests
- Debug tests
With minimal setup, developers can write a passing test in just 60 seconds.
How Cypress differs from other testing tools
Cypress is frequently compared to Selenium, yet it offers distinctive advantages:
- In-browser execution: Unlike tools that run outside the browser, Cypress operates in the same loop as the application.
- Back-end access: Running on a Node server, Cypress accesses front and back-end events in real time.
- Consistent test results: By controlling the automation process, Cypress produces consistent test outcomes.
- Local installation benefits: Cypress uses machine-level features, allowing screenshots, video recording, and file operations, unavailable in other testing tools.
Who uses Cypress?
Who uses Cypress?
More than 5 million people download Cypress each week, including high-profile users such as::
With over 753K dependent GitHub repositories and 43K+ GitHub stars, Cypress proves valuable for organisations looking to simplify their testing processes.
Is Cypress free?
Cypress has two main parts:
Cypress Cloud: This paid service records test runs for later analysis and integrates with CI pipelines, billed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The Cypress application: This open-source application is available under the MIT licence, free to download and use.
Is Cypress easy to learn?
Cypress’s popularity is due to its ease of learning. Tests are written in JavaScript, which many developers already know.
Learn more about Cypress
This article and infographic are part of a larger series centred around the technologies and themes found within the edition of the TechRadar by Devoteam. To learn more about Cypress and other technologies your business should seriously consider adopting, please explore TechRadar by Devoteam.
