Understanding Core Developer Productivity Metrics Measuring how well developers work is harder than it seems. Simple metrics like counting lines of code or completed tasks don't tell the whole story. The real challenge lies in understanding the actual value developers bring to projects and measuring outcomes that matter.
Building Your Test Automation Foundation Setting up test automation requires careful planning and a solid foundation. Like building a house, you need a strong base to support everything that comes after. This means understanding exactly why you need automation, picking tools that fit your needs, and creating clear processes that
Testing in The Modern Software Development World Software teams are rapidly moving toward automated testing to meet the growing demands for faster releases and better quality. Recent data shows this shift clearly - by 2020, 44% of IT organizations had automated at least half of their testing processes. This widespread
Getting Started with Test Case Fundamentals Creating good test cases is essential for any software testing effort. A properly written test case helps the entire team understand what to test, the testing method, and how to determine success or failure. The key is breaking down software requirements into clear, actionable
Breaking Down Integration Testing Fundamentals Integration testing examines how different parts of a software system work together, going beyond testing individual components in isolation. Think of it like assembling a car - even if the engine, transmission, and wheels each work perfectly on their own, the car won't
Breaking Down the Art of Small Pull Requests Small pull requests (PRs) make code reviews more effective and efficient. Research shows that PRs under 200 lines of code get merged faster and have higher success rates compared to larger ones. But keeping PRs small takes conscious effort and the right
Building Your Test Automation Foundation Creating a solid test automation foundation takes careful planning and strategy. Like building a house, you need the right materials, design, and approach to ensure long-term stability. Let's explore the key elements that make up a successful automated testing practice. Defining Your Automation
Building Your Test Automation Strategy A solid test automation strategy is essential for consistent software quality. The goal isn't just to automate tests - it's to create a practical system that fits naturally into how your team works. This means taking time upfront to assess your
Understanding the Impact of Strategic Code Reviews Code reviews are essential for building great software teams and products. When done properly, they go far beyond just catching bugs - they help teams write better code and grow stronger engineers. The impact can be significant: research from CISCO Systems found that
The Real Impact of Test Driven Dev in Modern Teams Test-driven development (TDD) has profoundly changed how teams build software. While the concept seems simple - write tests before code - its effects run much deeper. Let's explore the concrete ways TDD shapes development processes, from reducing bugs
Mastering the Art of Small Pull Requests Want to improve your code review process? Start by making your pull requests smaller. This simple change can make reviews faster and more effective. Many successful engineering teams keep their pull requests under 50 lines of code when possible - a practice that
Understanding The Real State of CI Today Most development teams understand the value of continuous integration (CI), but putting it into practice remains a work in progress for many organizations. Let's examine how teams are actually implementing CI today, including both their successes and ongoing challenges. Understanding the
Basic Knowledge
Making Sense of Modern Git Workflows Good software development depends on teams working together smoothly through version control. That's why picking the right Git workflow makes a huge difference in how well a project turns out. When teams find an approach that fits, it helps everyone code better
Best Practices
Maintaining a clean and stable main branch in software development is crucial for a smooth and efficient development process. Making you save time and money so you can focus on projects that matter. However, as teams grow and projects become more complex, managing your dev team pull requests and their
Basic Knowledge
Mastering Modern CI/CD Pipeline Fundamentals Software teams increasingly rely on CI/CD pipelines to deliver code faster and more reliably. While about half of development teams use either Continuous Integration (CI) or Continuous Deployment (CD), only around 18% successfully combine both into a fully automated workflow. This gap shows
Basic Knowledge
Breaking Down GitLab CI Variables: Core Concepts That Matter When working with GitLab CI/CD pipelines, variables serve as the building blocks for configuration and customization. These variables act as placeholders in your .gitlab-ci.yml file, giving you precise control over how your pipeline behaves. By mastering GitLab CI variables,
Basic Knowledge
Breaking Down Git Fetch and Pull Operations When working with Git, understanding the differences between git fetch and git pull helps you work more effectively with remote repositories. Think of it like checking your mailbox - git fetch is like looking inside to see what mail arrived, while git pull
Basic Knowledge
Understanding Git Operations Without The Confusion When working with Git, choosing between git fetch and git pull can seem confusing at first. But understanding the key differences between these commands helps you work more effectively and avoid common pitfalls. Let's break down how each command works and when
Basic Knowledge
Understanding the Real Impact of Test Automation More companies are embracing automated testing as a core part of their software development process. Recent data shows that 44% of organizations are working to automate at least half of their testing work. This shift comes from real business needs - teams need
Basic Knowledge
Breaking Down the Business Case for CI Making a strong case for continuous integration (CI) requires showing its real business value - not just talking about automation. You need to demonstrate how CI directly affects profits and productivity with clear evidence that resonates with decision makers. Let's look
Basic Knowledge
The Modern Evolution of Software Testing Software testing has evolved from being an afterthought to becoming an essential part of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Rather than just checking for bugs after development, testing now happens continuously throughout the development process. The growing importance of testing is reflected in the
How We Do It
As we step into 2025, it’s time to reflect on an eventful and transformative 2024 at Mergify. It was a year filled with challenges, growth, and exciting new opportunities to better serve developers worldwide. Here's a look back at what we achieved, what we learned, and what&
Basic Knowledge
Building a Foundation for Performance Success A solid performance testing approach needs to be woven into your development process from the start. Just as a house needs strong structural support before adding rooms and features, your application requires ongoing performance validation to stay stable as it grows. Taking this proactive
Basic Knowledge
Why Traditional Risk Management Isn't Working Anymore Most software teams still rely on basic tools like spreadsheets and occasional risk reviews, but this old-school approach is falling short. The rapid pace of modern development means problems can emerge and cause damage long before they're spotted in