When you think about developing a Magento webshop, it may initially seem like a matter of putting a few components together and hoping everything works well. But just like with a Formula 1 car, the goal is for each part to mesh perfectly to ensure optimal performance. This is where integration tests (also known as end-to-end tests) play a crucial role.
1. No or Poor Tests: The Old Lada
In a project without integration tests, your webshop looks like an old, rusty Lada propped up on shaky supports. There's hardly anything providing stability. Every change you make can cause the whole structure to wobble and collapse. Just like the Lada you see above, your codebase is balanced on a few weak supports: some unit tests and a manual check of the frontend.
As a result, you're constantly afraid that one small change in a module might inadvertently affect the checkout or payment methods. The absence of integration tests leads to a fragile project where every implementation of a new feature puts your business to the test.
2. Partial Integration Tests: Partial Support
With a few integration tests, your project becomes more stable and is comparable to a Formula 1 car resting on solid supports. The foundation is stronger, but vulnerabilities still remain. Small adjustments in configuration can have unexpected side effects, especially if there are dependencies between multiple modules. As you can see in the image, the red Formula 1 car rests on a few stable supports, but there is still room for improvement.
Partial integration tests cover only a few critical workflows, such as login or ordering processes, leaving many scenarios unaddressed. This means you're still at risk when adding a new module or when there's a complex dependency between extensions.
3. Full Integration Tests: Robust Support
Now we come to the ultimate setup: a high-tech Formula 1 car resting on a complex system of sturdy supports. This represents a Magento shop with an extensive range of integration tests covering every interaction between features and external systems. No change—whether a new theme, a modified module, or a third-party extension—can destabilize the system without you immediately noticing.
Full integration tests ensure that your codebase is as robust as this Formula 1 car on its reliable supports. You can implement new features with confidence, knowing that your webshop will continue to run like a well-tuned machine.
Thanks to these robust tests, we can largely automate, validate, and deploy our Magento upgrades.
Conclusion
Just as a Formula 1 team relies not only on a good engine but also on a solid chassis and a well-balanced support system, a Magento webshop must rely on a complete set of integration tests to ensure the platform's stability. It is the only way to ensure that every change — no matter how small — doesn't have unwanted effects on the whole.
The lack of integration tests is like a rusty Lada: unpredictable and dangerous. Partial integration tests offer some stability, but for ultimate certainty, you need a high-tech, robust setup that covers every interaction. Invest in integration tests and build your webshop on a foundation as reliable as the supports of a championship car in Formula 1.