Ultimate Guide to Blockchain Testing

Right now, blockchain technology which has often been called a “disruptor” by experts is being embraced by several industries around the world. Considering the numerous advantages that the technology brings to the table, it’s not so hard to see why it has garnered so much enthusiasm and such a massive following. At the heart of the blockchain lies an immutable distributed ledger, which allows for many possibilities and derivative applications. Problems like transaction opaqueness, data security, fraud, supply chain complexities and hectic paper processes can all be a thing of the past thanks to this innovative technology.

Presently, companies are dabbling in blockchain at an unprecedented rate. Experts have theorized that blockchain technology will influence innovation in nearly all industrial sectors. Some have even dubbed the rise of this technology as the coming of “the third industrial revolution.” Whether these experts are right or not, one thing remains certain; blockchain is here to stay.

What exactly is Blockchain technology?

Blockchain technology is a constantly expanding record list called blocks which are secured and linked via cryptography; this linkage of the blocks is where the blockchain derives its name. Under the blockchain platform, each block consists of a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transactional data; together, these components help to secure data on the block.

The blockchain can efficiently function as a distributed ledger for recording transactions between two shareholders allowing for easy verification of terms. It is designed to be resistant to alteration since the modification of data on one block will invalidate the entire chain. This approach helps to promote trust within the system. Unlike traditional centralized systems, the blockchain is decentralized, eliminating the need for a central authority or middlemen. Functionalities of the blockchain system such as internode communication and validation of new blocks are managed by a peer-to-peer network working in strict adherence to a specific protocol.

Testing Blockchain

The growing interest in blockchain technology and its applications demand that companies or individuals willing to get involved need to know how to test this emerging technology. Blockchain prides itself on its characteristic immutability which is often touted as a positive trait that helps to promote trust and curb fraud, however, the “immutability” of the blockchain makes testing it problematic.

Data stored on a blockchain is permanent, but if there is a change in block data in between the chain, the entire system will be rendered invalid. This is because a change in one block will cause all other blocks in the chain to change as well. If change is to occur on one block, all other blocks must also be changed simultaneously, this is the only way to ensure the validity of the system, and this is what makes testing quite complicated.

Moreover, since blockchain technology is relatively new and keeps evolving, testers will require various skills to test blockchain-based applications effectively. Test design techniques, automation skills, and manual UI skills are some of the expertise required to pull of blockchain testing. A fully functional blockchain system could handle several processes including transmission, decryption, encryption, and validation, therefore, it is necessary to test the blockchain to build trust and guarantee the smooth running of these all blockchain components.

What should be tested?

Blockchain technology is becoming an attractive investment as developers around the world keep on experimenting with the technology with the hope of building new applications. To ensure the viability of the blockchain ecosystem with regards to use case scenarios and business processes, testers should consider the following blockchain components:

Block size: Due to varying block size and the fact that a single block can handle multiple transactions, it is imperative that testers assess how changing block size can influence the behavior of blockchain applications.

Chain size: Based on the blockchain’s inherent characteristics, its chain size should theoretically be unlimited. However, a chain can be broken temporarily, if valid conclusions for the same block are reached. Therefore, testers should conduct tests to evaluate these issues.

Load: Scalability is one of the prominent problems of the blockchain since transaction speed is known to drop as the load increases. Testing the load limits helps testers figure out what happens when there is an increase in transaction per second. Bitcoin for instance can currently handle a maximum throughput of about 3.3–7 transactions per second, but what happens if there is an increase in transaction per second? Tests on load limits will help developers understand the blockchain platform better and be able to come up with effective measures to limit drag on the network.

Data transmission: The peer-to-peer architecture of the blockchain demands that the process of encryption and decryption of transmitted data work perfectly. Testers must be able to ensure that there is no loss of data during transmission.

Corruption: Data corruption can occur due to collision or broken chains. The work of the testers should involve the evaluation of corrupted data, methods for repairing the affected block and how to prevent the damage from spreading down the chain.

Block addition: Due to the blockchain’s immutability, new blocks must be added correctly to ensure the validity of the system. Testers must be able to prove that new blocks are added to the chain after a transaction has been authenticated.

Security: Blockchain already has a multi-layered security system integrated into its functionality; however, the presence of multiple miners in the system can pose security risks. Testers should be able to verify the security level of the blockchain system so that measures can be taken to safeguard against vulnerabilities and hacks that could invalidate the authenticity of transactions on the network.

Types of Blockchain Tests

Testing is necessary to establish trust and ensure the smooth functioning of a blockchain system. Several types of tests can be employed at different stages of development. Some of the types of tests used to ensure high-quality blockchain systems are enumerated below.

- Standard functional tests: Standard functional testing is performed on the basic components of the system. It is done to evaluate the efficacy of specific business protocols that the blockchain was designed to handle and to investigate use case scenarios.

- Shift left testing: Shift left testing is usually done early on in the blockchain’s development stages. Since the shift left test can be reused during the developmental process of the blockchain, it offers test teams high-value iterative feedback, which could help reduce the number of system defects in future.

- Unit tests: Unit tests are done to catch bugs early on in the process of blockchain development. They are performed to ensure that the codes running the system are functional at the lowest scale.

- API testing: API testing is done to assess how applications interact within and outside of the blockchain environment. This should be done at every step to ensure that API requests and responses are handled effectively.

- Performance testing: Speed is a key component of the blockchain. Performance tests can be used to verify the transactional speed and assess the scalability of a blockchain system. Performance testing may include the following steps.

· Identification of performance bottlenecks

· Detailing the metrics required for tuning the system

· Assessing the production readiness of the application

- Smart contract testing: The validation processes of most blockchain platforms are governed by smart contracts. Smart contracts are computer protocols responsible for negotiation and compliance of digital contract terms. Since third parties do not monitor smart contracts, it is crucial that testers simulate all expected and unexpected conditions possible for the execution of the contract. Business logistics and transaction execution should also be tested since the blockchain network is continually expanding and changing.

- Peer/node testing: Permanency and durability are core blockchain characteristics that cannot be overlooked. Nodes within the distributed ledger must have the same set of sequence and transactions at all times. Peer/Node testing seeks to implement consistency across the blockchain network. Testers must, therefore, probe the consensus network ensuring that all data are stored in the same sequence. By ensuring the synchronism between nodes and validating peers within the network, peer/node tests help maintain the integrity of the blockchain network and avoid discrepancies.

Final Words…

Considering the damage that vulnerabilities and discrepancies can do to the blockchain system, it is widely agreed that proper testing of blockchain protocols isn’t auxiliary, but mandatory. Blockchain as a technology is evolving at tremendous speed as new blockchain-based applications keep springing up; for wide-scale adoption of this technology to take place, it is essential that adopters can vouch for the integrity of the system. In the long run, testing may expand beyond blockchain protocols to include integration testing which could help map out entire business processes. What strategy do you employ for conducting blockchain tests?