When to perform e2e testing on your application?

Question

I am starting in e2e (end-to-end) testing, specifically in projects Vuejs with Spectron and Nightwatch.

This question will not have code, because my doubt in this case is not with them, I am able to develop them theoretically well.

My doubt is for those who have a greater knowledge and experience in front-end testing, to be able to better inform the following questions:

1. When perform a front-end test on a module of your application?
2. The test should cover all possible existing cases in the module being tested? How, for example, click on all the buttons on the screen, and carry out all the possible flows that the screen provides?

I looked at some websites, and I asked several people, and the background information was very divergent from each other.

Some say that the front-end test should only cover the most important part of the system, such as in the case of an e-commerce, there should only be automated tests on the front end to make a purchase on the site, and the tests should only cover the "happy path" (happy paths).

For those who have an idea on the subject, opinion or knowledge, please it will be very welcome.

OBS: If this is not the place for this type of question, you can let us know in the comments that I delete it without any problems. Thank you.

Answer 1

I think in the "When" Testing is something relative to the need of the product. Thinking about productivity and guaranteed testing in a release, it is interesting to have this automated coverage. Even putting this in terms of cost and benefit, automation will give you greater scalability and consistency in what is done.

Now related to the index of penthouse I have seen professionals setting coverage percentage in certain products. I believe it would not be a good practice, thinking about evolution. I think that should be put on this topic what is functionality of your product, not only the active paths. Adversity is part of every product in production, not always who uses is an expert.

These doubts are complicated, but that’s what I think. I hope I’ve helped!