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About the Book

Testing is often misunderstood or overlooked in the software development process, but it is a crucial aspect that can make or break the quality and reliability of your applications. This book is not just about teaching you how to write tests, but about helping you build the mindset and skills necessary to create software that is inherently testable and maintainable.

Testing for Software Engineers is a comprehensive guide designed for software developers who want to master the art of testing. It combines theoretical insights with practical examples, taking you through the entire process of building testable systems, understanding modern test automation practices, and applying them to real-world scenarios. With a focus on automation and quality, this book is your gateway to becoming a more proficient, confident developer who understands the critical role of testing in the software development lifecycle.

Among other things, you'll learn:

• The difference between testing and checking, and how the "Testing Industrial Complex" can lead to poor practices.
• Core concepts around testability and the essential characteristics of testable systems.
• How to integrate testing seamlessly into your development workflow, with a focus on continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD).
• Best practices for building deterministic systems, separating deployments from releases, and using feature toggles effectively.
• A detailed guide to various testing methods, including unit testing, smoke testing, API testing, end-to-end testing, and more.
• How to apply testing in modern, distributed, microservice-based architectures, with real-world examples using serverless technologies on AWS.

Whether you're a frustrated developer looking to improve your processes or a seasoned engineer seeking to refine your testing approach, Testing for Software Engineers offers the tools and insights you need to succeed. It is designed to be accessible to developers of all skill levels, whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your understanding of testing.

This book is an essential resource for any software engineer who wants to elevate their testing skills and build more reliable, maintainable software.

About the Author

Mikael Vesavuori

My name is Mikael Vesavuori, and I architect, develop and design experiences & interactions.

Currently, I am co-founding Popcorn Cloud, which enables the creation and operation of sustainable, scalable, best-practices-driven software deployed to the cloud in a simple, abstracted way that even non-developers can perform.

Most recently, I was Technical Standards Lead at Polestar, where I was also responsible for leading the Software Engineers Competence Group and being the Developer Advocate in our Open Source Program Office. I also initiated and continuously supported the work of the Platform Services and Developer Experience teams.

Prior to this, I was the Lead Cloud Architect at Humblebee, Lead Frontend Developer at Sogeti, and in 2015 I co-founded Being with Nika Helia Persson.

I've also given talks, presentations, and lectures at (among other places) the University of California, CloudNativeGbg, React Gothenburg Meetup, AWS User Group Göteborg, Världskulturmuseet, and Varbergs Konsthall.