5 Popular Tools for Blockchain Application Testing

Blockchain Testing Services involve thorough and rigorous testing of blockchain-based applications, ensuring their quality and mitigating risks associated with insufficient expertise in blockchain development. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of blockchain products.

In 2021, the market size for Blockchain Testing Services reached USD 4153.93 million, and it is projected to grow significantly at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.31% throughout the forecast period. By 2027, it is anticipated to be USD 26651.26 million.

Why does Blockchain Application Testing matter?

Blockchain applications have been popularly adopted, especially by some prominent industries (Healthcare, Real estate, BFSI, Intellectual Property, Retail, E-commerce, and many others), as it is a decentralized technology by design. Hence, it eliminates the risks that could occur with centralization of data. Knowing the nature of Blockchain and the way the application supports the technology, Blockchain testing becomes all the more important. While testing Blockchain applications, it gives further scope to understand this emerging technology and its impact, including the opportunities.

Deletions or updates are not permitted on a Blockchain. It is a decentralized data structure that exists at many locations at a time. The technology has been implemented across financial and automotive industries (apart from Cryptocurrencies), as it is a secure structure. Nevertheless, this makes continuous integration and deployment absolutely critical for development teams.

Different types of tests can be performed at various stages in the software development process. The objective is to ensure complete test coverage and achieve quality for blockchain applications. Some prominent tests considered are Unit Tests, Integration Tests, User Interface testing, and API Testing. Hence, choosing the right tools for your Blockchain Testing needs is important.

5 Popular Tools For Blockchain Applications Testing

Blockchain application testing not only ensures its quality and maximizes the test coverage, it also minimizes the risks that are associated with inadequate knowledge that could impact the software development process.

Here are 5 popular tools for testing your blockchain applications:

1. Ethereum Tester:It is an open-source testing library available as a Github repo. Its setup is pretty easy with a manageable API support for various Testing requirements.
2. BitcoinJ:It is a Java-based framework built for Bitcoin-based apps that enables you to interact with the real BTC network and various testing activities. In order to use it, you don’t have to download the standard BTC Core files from Bitcoin.com. You can even approach a user forum in case you need clarification or are facing hiccups in the testing process. It is an open network available for assistance.
3. Populus:This framework has the testing functionality of Ethereum embedded in the form of a set of features for test contract deployment. It’s developed around the py.test framework. Hence, it is relatively easy to implement.
4. Truffle:It’s a commonly referred name for Ethereum developers, which brings in good testing features, such as automated contract testing. The framework holds capabilities beyond just testing functionality within the Blockchain application.
5. Embark:It is a testing framework that focuses on developing decentralized applications (dApps) that run on various systems or nodes. It has integrations with Ethereum blockchain, IPFS, and a decentralized communication platforms such as Whisper and Orbit.

While Blockchain promises a great future and multiple opportunities, there is still a major debate regarding its adoption in the real business scenario. A recent survey by Gartner reveals the Scarcity of Current Blockchain Deployments. It states, ‘Only 1 percent of CIOs indicated any kind of blockchain adoption within their organizations, and only 8 percent of CIOs were in short-term planning or active experimentation with blockchain. 77 percent of CIOs surveyed said their organization has no interest in the technology and/or no action planned to investigate or develop it.’

Blockchain Testing Challenges

The scarcity of testing tools poses a major challenge in the blockchain landscape, with few options available for each framework. Incorrect tool selection can lead to complications, emphasizing the critical need for suitable testing solutions. Another hurdle in the blockchain domain is the shortage of professional expertise due to its relatively new status in the tech industry. Widespread adoption among developers is limited, highlighting the industry’s need for skilled blockchain professionals.

Testing strategy complexities arise in blockchain testing, demanding in-depth knowledge of the technology. Securing the blockchain network is challenging, especially with its expanding use across diverse economic sectors, emphasizing the paramount importance of data security. Inadequate performance and load testing capabilities hinder insights into how blockchain applications perform under specific conditions. This limitation underscores the necessity for robust testing methodologies to ensure optimal functionality and reliability in diverse scenarios.

Conclusion

This general industry feedback and deployment scenario further reinforces the importance of Software Testing and Quality Assurance for Blockchain applications. Organizations across the globe today are looking for a secure platform using which they can transparently share information and build absolute trust. Blockchain is the answer to the challenge.

Understanding the current application and implementation of Blockchain is important, as it will help determine the growth path and probable challenges with the technology. At Cigniti, we are well in sync with the key trends that will add up to the need for adopting Blockchain technology including comprehensive blockchain testing. This ensures a holistic approach to quality assurance in blockchain implementations, addressing challenges and maximizing the potential benefits of this transformative technology.

While multiple platform vendors offer recommendations for Blockchain implementation, you need to understand and decide what suits your business needs, and syncs well with your objectives. At Cigniti, we firmly believe in blending technology and business objectives, and work with you to achieve success using an agile environment focused on quality@high-speed.

Connect with us to get interesting insights for your business in terms of Blockchain implementation and testing.