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Why Web3 Testing is Crucial for Building Quality Blockchain Application
Starting a web3 software product and want to know all possible pitfalls? We bet you asked yourself how web3 testing differs from web2 and how to choose an appropriate web3 testing methodology for your app.
Overall, a well-established QA process is an excellent investment in your new product performance and growth. It will help you release features to market faster than your competitors. It will also provide customers with seamless UX and make your product memorable.
In contrast, without proper quality assurance, web3 apps risk facing significant issues harmful to your product, the company’s reputation, and end users. Besides, it’s worth noting that web3 technologies are relatively new, so testing them can be challenging and require specialized knowledge.
Luckily, Savarian experts are here to give helpful advice and offer blockchain testing services for those who need help with the web3 testing process. Let’s start with investigating web3 testing methodologies.
What is Web3.0? Understanding the Next Generation of the Web
To begin with, let’s cover the essentials by answering the following question:
“What is web3.0 and its core features?”
The latest version of the internet, known as Web 3.0, represents a new global iteration of internet development. It focuses on creating a more user-centric experience while providing decentralized access to the web. Unlike the current web2 version with centralized access management, it enables all users to control their data and interactions.
According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, Web 3.0 technologies like decentralized identity, blockchain, IoT, and NFT are reaching the edge of the Peak of the Inflated Expectations phase. They are expected to reach the Plateau of Productivity within the next decade. So, unsurprisingly, these technologies are gaining public attention and growing into our everyday life. It’s already hard to draw a line between web3 and web2. But within this transition period, we have time to adapt to web3 platform development and become familiar with its technical specifics.
Now, let’s explain how to access web3. To start using such apps, you will need a browser that supports them, like Brave or MetaMask. Alternatively, you can install a web3 plugin on Chrome or Safari. You should also connect a digital wallet to ensure its features work seamlessly.
Understanding Web3 Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is a common cybersecurity practice that helps identify vulnerabilities and potential weaknesses by simulating an attack on an application. This type of testing aims to determine to which extent a malicious actor could gain unauthorized access or disrupt operations.
During a penetration test, a security expert imitates a real-time hacker attack on an application. As a result, you can address possible vulnerabilities in advance and prevent data breaches, reputational risks, and financial losses.
When performing pen-testing for web3 apps, it’s worth considering their architecture and technology stack. Such a task requires a deep understanding of blockchain technology, decentralized applications, and the security threats common for the new web app generation.
Why Do I Need to Perform Web3 penetration testing?
Establishing web3 penetration testing practices will help you meet business requirements for a product. These requirements vary depending on the domain business. However, there is no industry without regulations. These rules include legal requirements, privacy protection (like GDPR), data security, and accessibility standards.
As mentioned above, penetration testing ensures compliance with the most critical data protection regulations. It also helps to prevent unauthorized usage and data leaks, which is the most significant challenge when testing decentralized apps.
With a proper penetration testing solution, your company can address security vulnerabilities before they grow into reputational and financial losses, legal problems, or other negative outcomes.
Savarian is always happy to help with setting up QA processes on your web3 platform from scratch. We can answer any questions about web3 penetration testing and provide high-quality blockchain testing services.
What Sets Web3 Testing Methodology Apart from Web2 Applications Testing?
Web3 software methodology and technology stack differ from those required for web2 development. Therefore, its testing approaches are different, as well.
Now, let’s look at the essential aspects of testing web3 platforms.
Web Decentralization
Decentralization is one of the most significant differences between Web3 and Web2 applications. Decentralized networks don’t have a single controlling authority like web servers. Instead, they rely on a network of nodes with equal power distribution. Examples of decentralized networks are Ethereum and IPFS, both using peer-to-peer (P2P) technology.
Web3 testing methodology must consider the decentralized nature of apps. So when testing decentralized networks, we ensure that the app works seamlessly across the entire network. It should also handle various scenarios, such as a node dropping out or network latency.
Smart Contracts
Testing smart contracts require a specific approach, as they are deployed to a blockchain. Web3 applications use smart contracts to execute their business logic. So it’s necessary to understand how to set up a local blockchain network. Then, you can test contracts there, like in the sandbox.
Cryptographic Security
To check the crypto security of your application, you should verify compliance with cryptographic algorithms and protocols. Another crucial step is to conduct penetration testing and fix vulnerabilities.
Also, we recommend focusing on possible weaknesses during the requirements gathering or development stage. This way, you can reduce the issues you should address during the testing phase.
Understanding the Web3 Testing Approaches For Decentralized Applications
There is a specific approach to testing web 3 technologies. Here is what this process includes.
Smart Contracts Testing
The primary goal of smart contract testing is to verify that the contract’s code executes correctly under various conditions. For that, you may use tools like Truffle or Hardhat. They simulate blockchain transactions in real time without spending real crypto coins.
Decentralized Application (dApp) Testing
The Decentralized Application (dApp) testing stage requires an understanding of blockchain technology. Developers use tools like Ganache or Remix to test dApps by simulating decentralized user interactions, network node ecosystems, and blockchain transactions.
Interoperability Testing
Suppose you have tested cybersecurity protocols compliance, smart contracts, and simulated decentralized networks in your app. Now, it’s time to ensure that they fit each other. Interoperability testing with the help of Polkadot, Cosmos, or Substrate verifies whether different blockchain applications can work together smoothly and error-free.
All these testing practices are essential for ensuring that Web3 applications are secure and work properly.
Our Web3 Testing Process
Now, let’s discover the testing standards that we follow at Savarian.
Requirements Analysis
First, we examine the project requirements, identify potential risks, and estimate testing complexity and duration.
Writing Test Cases
Once we have learned about the app, we develop manual test cases and scenarios. Our team appreciates detailed documentation. Flowcharts and diagrams are particularly helpful at this step.
Functional Testing
At this stage, we start testing the application’s functionality to ensure that its business logic and UX work as expected.
Smoke Testing
After every code change, we perform this quick test to confirm that the app’s most critical functions aren’t damaged.
Regression Testing
We run regression tests before each release to ensure the app remains stable and functional throughout the development lifecycle. Thus, we can address all the issues we’ve found during the tests.
User acceptance testing (UAT)
After the regression test, we validate user-facing functionality with focus groups consisting of end users. It helps us make sure the app is user-friendly and meets its target audience’s expectations. If we need to test several UX hypotheses, this step may include A/B tests.
Preparing Automation Testing Scenarios
To optimize time for future release verifications and daily smoke tests, we automate testing processes. This approach leaves room for triaging complex issues.
Release Support
When preparing for a release, we test the release candidate and provide feedback to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
Limitations and Challenges Of Web 3 Development
You may face some obstacles that affect web3 metaverse development growth. Here are some of them.
Scalability.
The current blockchain technology has transaction speed and processing capacity limitations. So it’s challenging for Web3 applications to achieve mass adoption immediately.
Complexity.
Developing decentralized applications (dApps) for Web3 requires deep technical expertise in specific technologies. That’s why finding experienced software engineers with appropriate tech stacks might be problematic.
Adoption.
Web3 applications are still in the early stages of massive adoption. As a result, growing the audience for your app can be challenging and time-consuming.
Why Web3 Testing Matters?
Here are some reasons why Web3 testing is beneficial for your app.
- Ensuring the reliability and security of smart contracts or blockchain network
- Verifying the business logic of decentralized applications and meeting regulatory requirements
- Detecting and preventing errors and bugs before deploying an app to the production environment
- Improving overall performance and user experience by monitoring non-functional requirements compliance
To sum up, the testing phase is an integral part of SDLC you should pay attention to. It detects and addresses any functionality concerns and ensures that web3 technologies work as expected. On top of that, testing enhances the overall user experience and guarantees the security of the dApps.
Understanding the Cost Factors in Web3 Testing
Although this niche is relatively new, the QA market offers various web3 testing services. At Savarian, we provide them as a part of standard web app testing packages. You can learn about our prices here.
Here are the most significant factors that may influence the cost of web3 testing services.
App Size
The price depends on the number of web pages and their content.
Browsers Compatibility Requirements
Testing web apps on different browsers takes time and effort and impacts the services’ price. Cross-browser and cross-device testing affect the cost too.
Device Specifics
If your app is mobile-first, consider the different types of devices your target audience prefers. Also, the price depends on the choice between emulators and real devices.
Of course, there is good news too! At Savarian, each testing package provides thorough QA. So you don’t need to overpay for particular verification types. Functional, usability, positive and negative testing and link verification are included by default.
A Glimpse into the Future of Web 3.0
It’s exciting to think about what Web3 will bring to the future of web applications. Here are some potential use cases to expect in the years to come.
Blockchain and DeFi As the Future of the Finance Industry
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is a concept based on blockchain technology that empowers transactions outside conventional financial institutions like banks. DeFi apps are still partly-legal in certain parts of the world. However, cryptocurrencies are gradually becoming a part of the traditional economy.
Once crypto laws worldwide become more consistent, blockchain payments market share will likely grow. Therefore, the blockchain technology market will continue evolving and is expected to reach a CAGR rate of 87.7% in 2023-2030.
So apart from being a saving and trading instrument, crypto deals will gain more popularity as a payment option. As a result, DeFi solutions are about to disrupt traditional finance. And that’s reasonable – they offer faster and more secure financial services with smaller transaction fees.
NFTs As a Breath Of Fresh Air For the Art Industry
Another industry that will benefit from web 3 development is digital art. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are the modern version of art collections. Just like art pieces, they are unique. Moreover, people can purchase, sell, and trade NFTs.
With NFT, one may monetize nearly anything, including 2D and 3D digital art, music, pixel art, photography, collages, illustrations, and more.
New Era of Online Gaming with Metaverse Technologies
Another perspective for those who follow web 3 development trends is in online gaming. With web3 technologies, this industry is experiencing a new era.
What makes it so exciting? The answer is simple: XR, blockchain game currencies, and decentralized architecture.
Let’s explore why gamers enjoy these features.
Extended Reality
XR (Extended Reality) includes AR, VR, and MR technologies. It involves adopting special tools that, together with software, boost the gaming experience. These include VR glasses and helmets, sensors, moving chairs, and specialized equipment simulating plane flights, horse rides, or gunplays.
Blockchain Game Currencies
Although it involves a certain level of risk, trading game currencies is not an absolute evil. You can earn such assets by exchanging real currencies online to complete specific gaming tasks. With game coins, you can trade in-game assets and characters and get access to paid challenges. Moreover, you can purchase them and enjoy your gaming earnings.
Decentralized Gaming Ecosystem
In web3 games, the provider’s servers don’t store information about players. Instead, the storage is decentralized. Such an approach helps avoid server downtimes and improves gamers’ data security.
Conclusion
Web 3.0 introduces a significant shift in internet usage. So we need to learn how to deal with its specifics. Web3 testing is one of the essential parts of this development.
In this article, Savarian QA experts walked you through the most significant differences between web2 and web3 and explained how to choose proper testing methodologies for the new generation of the web. Also, we showcased a standard testing process our team uses. Finally, we shared our expertise on testing decentralized applications, smart contracts, blockchain, and cryptographic security.
Savarian offers a wide range of QA services of any complexity. You can lean on us with any business goals, from tech consulting to choosing an appropriate testing methodology for a new product. We can also form a QA team for you, reconsider your existing testing processes, or audit your product and provide insights to improve its quality.
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