Fixing CI: Running Tests Against The Latest Language Version

by SLV Team 61 views
Fixing CI: Running Tests Against the Latest Language Version

Hey guys! Let's talk about a crucial aspect of our development workflow: Continuous Integration (CI). Specifically, we're diving into how our CI currently functions and, more importantly, how we can make it better. The goal? To ensure our tests are always running against the most up-to-date version of our language code. Currently, the CI process has a bit of a hiccup – it runs tests, sure, but it doesn't always consider the language code from the Pull Requests (PRs). Instead, it's testing against the code the VM was originally built with. Not ideal, right? So, let's break down how we can fix this and get our CI firing on all cylinders. This will involve a few key steps to ensure that the CI environment accurately reflects the current state of our language and its associated tests. By implementing these changes, we can catch potential issues early and maintain a high level of code quality and reliability in our project. This proactive approach will save us time and headaches down the road.

The Problem: Outdated Code in CI

So, what's the deal? Why is the CI not playing nicely with the latest language code? Well, the main issue is that the CI environment isn't consistently updated with the code changes from our PRs. This means the tests are running against an older version of the language, potentially missing out on critical bug fixes, new features, or even compatibility issues introduced in the latest PRs. This disconnect can lead to a few frustrating scenarios, such as tests passing in the CI but failing when you integrate the code manually, or tests that pass on your local machine but fail in the CI environment. The inconsistency makes it harder to trust the CI results, and it could lead to delays in identifying and resolving issues. The current CI setup is a bit like testing a car's engine with old fuel – it might run, but it won't give you an accurate picture of the vehicle's true performance. To ensure our CI tests are effective, we need to ensure that the code used in the tests matches the code in the latest version of the language. This will give us a much more accurate picture of how our code is working, and it will also allow us to take better advantage of the improvements and bug fixes that are available in the latest version of the language. Ultimately, the goal is to make sure our CI system is a reliable and accurate representation of our product, which ensures a more stable and high-quality software development lifecycle. Let's make sure the CI system gives us the correct information, so we can be confident in the code we are producing.

The Solution: A Step-by-Step CI Improvement Plan

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and outline the steps we need to take to solve this problem. We need to make sure our CI process is always testing against the current language code. Here's a revised plan:

  1. Code Source: The first step involves figuring out where the CI should grab its code. Should it clone master? Or should it clone the commit from the latest version of TypeScript (TS)? Cloning the latest commit from TS is generally the better option because it ensures that the CI is always working with the most recent code changes. This is because master might be a bit behind, depending on the merge frequency. Cloning the commit from TS allows you to test against the exact version of the code that will be used in the current version of the language. This ensures that the CI is always testing against the latest version of the code and that any issues or bugs in the code are caught quickly and efficiently. By cloning the commit from the latest version of TypeScript, we ensure that the CI is always working with the most current language code. This includes any changes, updates, or fixes that have been introduced. This ensures that the CI runs against the exact version of the code that will be used in the current version of the language.
  2. Code Installation: Next, we need to make sure the language code is installed in the CI environment. This likely means copying the language repository into a specific folder within the CI's workspace. This is important because it makes the language code accessible to the CI and allows the CI tests to be run against the updated language code. This step makes sure that the CI environment includes the most recent version of the language code. This will allow us to run all tests and make sure the code is working correctly.
  3. TS Build: Just to be on the safe side, we should build TypeScript (TS) in the CI environment. This step ensures that all the necessary components are properly compiled and ready for testing. This is a standard practice and is always a good idea. This builds the Typescript in the CI environment and ensures that we have all the correct, needed components for testing.
  4. Test Execution: Finally, we run npm test in the TS repository. This command will execute all our tests, and it's awesome because it runs everything, not just a subset. The npm test command is a crucial step in the process, as it is the command that initiates the test execution. This allows us to ensure that everything is working as it should and that no regressions have been introduced. By running the npm test command, we get a complete view of how our code is working. It helps to ensure that all the latest changes have not broken existing functionality. This step is a critical part of the CI process, and it helps to ensure that we maintain high standards of code quality.

By following these steps, we can ensure that our CI is always testing against the latest version of the language code, which means better testing, fewer bugs, and a more reliable development process. This approach is much more efficient than the old method.

Benefits of an Improved CI Process

So, what do we gain by improving our CI process? A lot, actually! The benefits are numerous and far-reaching, improving both the reliability and efficiency of our development workflow. First and foremost, we get more accurate test results. Because the CI runs against the current language code, the tests will reflect the exact state of our code. This means fewer surprises when integrating changes. We can be confident that if a test passes in CI, it'll pass everywhere. Secondly, we'll see faster bug detection. By catching issues early in the development cycle, we can resolve problems quickly, before they become major headaches. This proactive approach helps prevent costly rework later on and keeps our projects on schedule. Next, we can expect to see improved code quality. The consistent testing provided by CI helps us maintain high coding standards. With each code change, we're continuously testing against the latest language updates, ensuring that our code functions as expected. Additionally, a better CI process leads to increased developer confidence. Developers can trust the results, which means they can merge changes with more confidence and move faster. This increased confidence helps developers focus on coding instead of constantly worrying about compatibility issues. Finally, the improved CI process will provide us with more efficient collaboration. By providing clear and reliable test results, the CI process will also make collaboration between team members much easier. When everyone can trust the test results, it becomes easier to merge changes and ensure that everything is functioning correctly. In short, the improvements to the CI lead to a more effective and smoother development process.

Implementing the Changes: Practical Steps

Okay, so how do we actually put this into practice? Let's talk about the specific steps we'll need to take to implement these changes. We'll need to adjust our CI configuration file to include these new steps. Here's a general idea of how this process could look. We'll assume we're using a CI platform like Jenkins, CircleCI, or GitLab CI. The specific details may vary depending on the chosen platform, but the general concept is the same.

  1. Access the CI configuration file: The first step is to access the configuration file for your CI system. This file typically contains instructions for how to build and test your project. In some CI systems, you can access the configuration file through the web interface, while in others, it is stored in a file in your project repository.
  2. Update the steps: Add or modify the steps in your configuration file. This will usually involve adding a step to clone the language code, install the necessary dependencies, and build the language code. Then, you'll add a step to run npm test in the TS repository. You might need to specify the correct paths for the language code and the TS repository. This is where we tell our CI what to do and in what order. It's like a recipe for our CI. We'll start by adding a step to clone the latest TS version.
  3. Test the configuration: After making the necessary changes, it's always a good idea to test the configuration. This ensures that the CI is functioning properly. By testing the configuration, we can be confident in the code we are producing.
  4. Save and commit the changes: Once you're happy with the changes, save and commit the configuration file. This will trigger a new build in your CI system and run the tests with the updated configuration. This step helps us ensure that the code is working and that all of the changes have been applied. By implementing these changes and regularly maintaining our CI process, we can build a strong foundation for a more productive and reliable development process.

Conclusion: A More Robust CI for a Better Workflow

By implementing these changes to our CI process, we're not just improving our testing; we're strengthening our entire development workflow. This will lead to more reliable builds, fewer bugs, and increased confidence in our code. We're also setting the stage for faster development cycles and better collaboration. The tweaks we've discussed will make the whole process smoother, more efficient, and more reliable. In a nutshell, we're building a more robust CI system to make sure our code is always working its best. The improvements we've outlined aren't just technical; they also have a direct impact on the quality of our code, the efficiency of our team, and the overall success of our project. So, let's get those changes implemented, and let's keep improving our CI process as we move forward! This will guarantee a high-quality product and help to ensure the success of the project.