End-to-End Testing

End-to-End Testing image

What is end-to-end testing? 

E2E testing checks if your app works from the user's perspective. You test complete workflows like signing up, making a purchase, or uploading files to verify everything works together in real-world scenarios. 

Do you have any examples of end-to-end testing? 

Let's look at testing an e-commerce checkout flow: 
  • Test the happy path: Sign into the site, search for a shirt, add it to cart, enter payment info, complete purchase, and verify you got the confirmation email 
  • Test error cases: Try checking out with a bad credit card and verify you see an error message 
  • Test edge cases: Buy the last item in stock and verify the "Out of Stock" message appears for the next customer 

This is E2E testing because you're following a real user's path through the entire system, checking that everything works together properly. 

Why is end-to-end testing important?

E2E testing catches problems users would actually experience. While unit tests might show individual pieces work, E2E testing proves the whole system functions in production. It's your safety net for catching critical bugs that could break core business processes. 

What are the challenges with end-to-end testing? 

E2E tests are often relatively fragile and slow.

They break when any part of your system changes, and running a full suite can take hours. You need stable test environments that match production, including external services and third-party integrations. Test data management gets messy fast, too—you're dealing with multiple user accounts, cleanup between tests, and keeping test data synchronized across systems. 
In my experience, there are two main, but distinct, things people mean when they refer to "end to end" testing.

Some people are referring to the complete user journey, from the start of a flow to the finish.

Others are referring to the system architecture, meaning that testing cuts through all involved layers of the system under test.

Because these two definitions are very different, it's important to understand what is meant by "end-to-end" testing in your specific context, so as to avoid misunderstandings, and meet expectations.
Tool of The Week: WonderProxy image
Localization testing with confidence Combine a global network with flexible testing tools to see what your website looks like to customers around the world
Explore MoT
Castelo Branco Meetup image
Tue, 6 May
The Future of Testing in an Automated World: Embracing Continuous Learning and A
MoT Software Testing Essentials Certificate image
Boost your career in software testing with the MoT Software Testing Essentials Certificate. Learn essential skills, from basic testing techniques to advanced risk analysis, crafted by industry experts. Early access available now at a discounted rate!
Leading with Quality
A one-day educational experience to help business lead with expanding quality engineering and testing practices.
This Week in Testing image
Debrief the week in Testing via a community radio show hosted by Simon Tomes and members of the community
Subscribe to our newsletter
We'll keep you up to date on all the testing trends.