Ever wonder how some companies anticipate problems before they happen? Synthetic testing might be their secret weapon. It's a proactive way to catch issues in your applications before your users ever experience them.

At Statsig, we've seen firsthand how synthetic testing can transform development processes. Let's dive into what synthetic testing is, why it matters, and how you can implement it to stay ahead of the game.

Understanding synthetic testing

Synthetic testing is like having a team of virtual users interacting with your application around the clock. By simulating user behaviors, you can spot issues before they impact real users. It involves scripting actions that mimic how users navigate your app, testing both performance and functionality in a controlled setting. This way, you can set performance benchmarks and catch regional issues early, enabling your team to optimize proactively.

You can run synthetic tests manually, but who has time for that? That's where synthetic monitoring platforms come in handy. They automate the process, running tests at regular intervals to give you continuous insights into your app's health. Integrating synthetic testing into your CI/CD pipelines helps you catch issues early and maintain quality throughout development.

Synthetic testing covers all sorts of scenarios—from simple API checks to complex multi-step user flows. Browser tests ensure your UI interactions are smooth, while API tests validate your endpoints' responses and performance. By focusing on critical functions and key user journeys, your team can spot and prioritize issues that matter most.

Mixing synthetic testing with other methods, like real user monitoring, gives you a full picture of your app's performance. This holistic approach helps you deliver reliable, high-quality experiences to your users. Synthetic testing isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a must for any organization looking to up their development game and stay ahead of potential problems.

The benefits and use cases of synthetic testing

So, why bother with synthetic testing? For starters, it helps ensure your application is running at its best, giving users a great experience. By simulating user interactions, you can proactively identify performance problems before they hit your users. Fixing issues early means less downtime and a better service all around.

It also lets you monitor how your application performs across different regions. By running tests from various locations, you make sure users worldwide get a consistent experience. This is super valuable if your company is expanding into new markets—you can validate performance without waiting for user feedback.

Plus, synthetic testing supports continuous delivery practices. By integrating tests into your CI/CD pipelines, you catch bugs and regressions early on. This reduces the risk of deploying faulty code to production and helps you release updates faster and more reliably.

Synthetic testing also plays nicely with other testing methods like unit and integration testing. While those focus on individual components or subsystems, synthetic tests give you an end-to-end look at how your application behaves. By combining different testing approaches, you get comprehensive coverage and ensure your software's overall quality.

At Statsig, we've embraced synthetic testing to keep our services running smoothly, ensuring our clients get the best experience possible.

Implementing different types of synthetic tests

Ready to get started with synthetic testing? Let's talk about the different types you can implement.

Browser tests simulate key user transactions to make sure everything works as it should. These tests interact with your app's UI—filling out forms, clicking buttons, and checking that the expected outcomes occur. By mimicking real user actions, browser tests help you spot issues that could impact the user experience.

Then there are API tests, which monitor your endpoints and network layers to catch bottlenecks and errors. They send requests to your APIs, validating response codes, headers, and payload structures. This ensures your backend services are functioning correctly and meeting performance expectations.

Integrating synthetic tests into your CI/CD pipelines is a game-changer. By running tests automatically with each code change, you can catch bugs before they make it to production. This approach allows for faster iterations and cuts down on the risk of deploying bad code.

When designing your synthetic tests, focus on critical user journeys and high-impact scenarios. Prioritize tests that cover core functions and features your users rely on. It's all about balancing test coverage with execution time so you maintain a fast feedback loop.

Don't forget to combine synthetic testing with real user monitoring. While synthetic tests help you proactively find issues, real user monitoring captures how actual users interact with your app. Together, they offer invaluable insights into your app's performance under various conditions.

Overcoming challenges and best practices in synthetic testing

Synthetic testing isn't without its challenges, but with the right approach, you can make it work smoothly.

First off, simplifying the setup process is crucial. Code-free tools enable team members to create and run tests independently, reducing the need for specialized scripting knowledge. Self-maintaining scripts that adapt to minor UI changes can save you from headaches caused by brittle tests.

Pairing synthetic testing with real user monitoring (RUM) gives you comprehensive coverage. While synthetic tests help you find errors proactively, RUM captures real user interactions that you can analyze for performance improvements. This dual approach ensures you're not missing out on any user-facing issues.

When choosing synthetic testing tools, look for ones that offer context and blend seamlessly into your workflow. Features like troubleshooting context let you pivot from failures to related data, making problem-solving easier. And don't overlook CI/CD integration—it's crucial for blocking deployments or triggering rollbacks based on test results.

Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Focus on key user journeys and critical features.

• Design realistic test scenarios that mirror what your users actually do.

• Run tests frequently, but be mindful of resource usage.

• Integrate synthetic testing into your CI/CD pipeline for continuous feedback.

• Analyze test results to spot patterns and prioritize issues.

By following these tips and leveraging the right tools, you can overcome the hurdles associated with synthetic testing. This proactive approach helps you catch issues early, keep your application reliable, and deliver top-notch experiences to your users.

At Statsig, we've found that incorporating synthetic testing into our processes not only improves our product quality but also boosts our confidence in each release.

Closing thoughts

Synthetic testing is a powerful ally in catching issues before they affect your users. By simulating user interactions and monitoring performance, you stay one step ahead of potential problems. Combining synthetic testing with real user monitoring and integrating it into your CI/CD pipelines ensures your applications are robust and reliable.

Want to learn more? Check out the links provided throughout this blog for deeper insights. Embracing synthetic testing can make a real difference in your development process—we hope you find this useful!