Tag: FlutterDevelopment

Effective Use of Responsive Automation in TestSweets

Automated testing is essential for developing robust applications. TestSweets has simplified the process of generating automated test cases, but adapting tests to accommodate various screen sizes has been challenging. With TestSweets' new update, developers can now fine-tune automation points for different screen sizes, ensuring tests are precise on all devices. This article proposes three key strategies to leverage the new responsive features of TestSweets to enhance your automated testing suite.

1. Start with an Average Device Size

The first step in the process should be to capture automation points on a device that represents the average screen size, ideally 720×1280. This is a strategic starting point because it sits comfortably between small and large screen sizes, which makes subsequent adjustments easier. Capturing on an average device aids the responsive sizing calculations that TestSweets uses, allowing for a seamless transition when including devices with smaller or larger screens.

2. Make Adjustments on the Extreme Screen Sizes

After the initial setup on an average device, it is crucial to test the application on the smallest and largest devices you intend to support. Doing this allows you to observe how the automation points align with the desired widgets on different screens. You might notice significant shifts on larger devices compared to medium-sized ones.

To address any misalignment, perform a long tap on the problematic automation point and drag it to the intended position. TestSweets memorizes this new location for the specific screen size, ensuring accurate placement in all future test executions. Moreover, when TestSweets encounters a new screen size that it doesn't have records for, it intelligently picks the closest captured screen size to deduce the correct position for the automation point.

3. Adjust for Different Form Factors

The final recommendation is particularly relevant if your application is intended for diverse platforms like tablets or desktops. Consistency can be achieved by running tests on an average-sized screen and making necessary adjustments based on observed offsets. TestSweets is versatile enough to handle an infinite variety of screen sizes as you refine the position of the automation points, always using the most appropriate one for each test run.

Bonus Tip and Enterprise Offer

A bonus tip for teams: engage collectively in improving test automations and consider reaching out to TestSweets if your company is a Flutter-based business with an annual revenue exceeding $3 million. TestSweets proposes an enterprise service to write and maintain all your automated tests, allowing you and your team to focus on other critical aspects of development. They also provide a 7-day free trial for their services.

Contact TestSweets at automation@filledstacks.com to explore this enterprise solution.

In summary, by starting with an average device size, making strategic adjustments on devices at both ends of the size spectrum, and considering different form factors, you can effectively utilize TestSweets' responsive automation capabilities to improve your test cases' accuracy and reliability across various devices.

Tags: #TestSweets, #AutomatedTesting, #ResponsiveAutomation, #FlutterDevelopment

https://filledstacks.com/post/top-3-responsive-screen-size-tips/

Exploring GitHub Copilot for Flutter Developers: A Comprehensive Guide

GitHub Copilot has emerged as a revolutionary AI companion for coders, promising to ease various programming tasks. But what does it mean for Flutter developers? Does it live up to the hype, and where does it stumble? This article offers a visual exploration of Copilot's capabilities in VSCode, essential for any developer curious about AI assistance in coding.

Understanding GitHub Copilot's Offerings and Pricing

Before we delve into the features, let's look at the available subscription plans:

  • Enterprise: At $39 per month, launching in February 2024, aimed at large-scale businesses.
  • Business: A $19 per month plan tailored for small to midsize companies.
  • Individual: A personal plan costing $10 per month.
  • Complimentary Access: Students, teachers, and OSS project maintainers can enjoy Copilot for free.

To get started, simply sign in with your GitHub account and choose the plan that fits you best.

Key Features of GitHub Copilot for Flutter Development

GitHub Copilot integrates with Visual Studio Code (VSCode) to provide several AI-powered capabilities:

GitHub Copilot Chat Panel

This feature allows you to interact with Copilot as if you were chatting with ChatGPT. It comes with an understanding of the context within your workspace, using commands like @workspace to guide you through your codebase effectively.

Code and Test Case Generation

Copilot uses GPT-4 to generate verbose code snippets and unit test cases. For example, asking it to write tests for an AsyncValueWidget can yield extensive code coverage, though minor tweaks may be required to iron out any compile errors.

Advanced Test Writing for Complex Code

Generating tests for more intricate code such as a CartService class is where Copilot shines, helping developers by providing a foundation of setup code and initial test cases.

Inline Chat Capabilities

With the inline chat function (activated with CMD+I), developers can request code additions and edits on-the-fly. While not always perfect, it provides a solid starting point.

Editing Existing Code

Copilot can modify existing code and even displays a side-by-side difference view for clear visualization of changes, assisting in the addition of functionalities like conditional logic to callbacks effectively.

Fixing Compilation and Terminal Errors

Copilot can assist in resolving compilation errors and terminal issues, such as the "version solving failed" error in Flutter, with helpful, AI-driven suggestions to guide developers toward solutions.

Generating Commit Messages

One more small but significant feature is Copilot's ability to generate meaningful commit messages based on recent changes, streamlining the version control process.

Additional Copilot Features and Accessibility

GitHub Copilot doesn't end with the aforementioned features. For instance, with VS Code Speech extension, developers can use voice commands to interact with Copilot, enhancing accessibility and convenience.

Real-world Application Examples

Copilot's versatility extends beyond basic tasks. It can:

  • Explain and interpret code snippets.
  • Add or modify existing code, even handling unfamiliar languages and APIs.
  • Induce the creation of test cases and aid in debugging.
  • Assist with terminal errors and version control.

While highly adaptive, Copilot's proficiency is more pronounced when dealing with "common knowledge" tasks it was trained on. Custom, large-scale projects with novel requirements may not benefit as much from AI assistance.

Final Remarks on GitHub Copilot's Impact on Flutter Development

GitHub Copilot is an impressive tool for code generation, comprehension, and workflow optimization. As a Flutter developer, the AI-assisted coding provided by Copilot can be incredibly valuable for familiarizing oneself with new codebases, brainstorming ideas, or even writing bash scripts and cloud functions.

However, Copilot's suggestions are not always on target and might require manual corrections—something developers should be cognizant of. It is best employed as an aide rather than a standalone solution.

Conclusion and Resources

In essence, GitHub Copilot has the potential to be a time-saving productivity tool for some tasks but might not fit all development scenarios. Developers interested in AI-enhanced coding should seize the opportunity to experiment with Copilot and experience its benefits firsthand.

For those eager to further enhance their coding workflows, additional resources can be explored, such as articles on VSCode shortcuts, extensions, and settings specifically geared towards Flutter development.

Overall, GitHub Copilot represents a new frontier in coding assistance, and it will be exciting to see its evolution and how it'll further integrate into developers' day-to-day tasks.

Happy AI-assisted coding! 😄

Tags: #GitHubCopilot, #FlutterDevelopment, #AIProgrammingAssistant, #VSCodeIntegration

https://codewithandrea.com/articles/github-copilot-tips-for-flutter-devs/