What do shift-left and shift-right testing mean?

Shift left testing and shift right testing are two concepts in software development and testing that refer to the timing and focus of testing activities.

Shift Left Testing: This approach emphasizes moving testing activities earlier in the development process, typically starting as soon as possible, even before any code is written. The goal is to catch and address issues early when they are easier and less costly to fix. Shift left testing often involves activities like requirements analysis, static code analysis, and unit testing.

Shift Right Testing: Conversely, shift right testing focuses on extending testing activities beyond the traditional release phase. It involves monitoring and testing in production, collecting real-world data and feedback to improve the product and its testing processes. Shift right testing includes practices like A/B testing, monitoring with production logs, and feedback from actual users.

These approaches are not mutually exclusive and can be complementary. Shift-left testing helps catch issues early, while shift-right testing helps validate assumptions and improve the product based on real-world usage. Combining these approaches can lead to a more robust and higher-quality product.

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