Write Clear and Concise Test Code

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 112 views

Introduction

In the world of software development, testing is a crucial step that ensures the quality and reliability of a product. However, even with the best testing strategies, failures can occur. In this article, we will delve into a specific test failure that occurred on a tracked branch, and explore the possible causes and solutions.

The Error Message

The error message that triggered this investigation is as follows:

Error: Timeout of 360000ms exceeded. For async tests and hooks, ensure "done()" is called; if returning a Promise, ensure it resolves. (/opt/buildkite-agent/builds/bk-agent-prod-gcp-1741633057010394975/elastic/kibana-on-merge/kibana/x-pack/test/functional/apps/status_page/status_page.ts)
    at listOnTimeout (node:internal/timers:581:17)
    at processTimers (node:internal/timers:519:7) {
  code: 'ERR_MOCHA_TIMEOUT',
  timeout: 360000,
  file: '/opt/buildkite-agent/builds/bk-agent-prod-gcp-1741633057010394975/elastic/kibana-on-merge/kibana/x-pack/test/functional/apps/status_page/status_page.ts'
}

Understanding the Error

The error message indicates that a timeout occurred while running a test. The timeout is set to 360000ms, which is equivalent to 6 minutes. The error message also provides a hint about the possible cause: "For async tests and hooks, ensure 'done()' is called; if returning a Promise, ensure it resolves."

Analyzing the Failure

The failure occurred on a tracked branch, which means that it was part of a continuous integration (CI) pipeline. The CI pipeline is designed to automate the testing process, and it provides valuable insights into the testing process.

First Failure

The first failure occurred on the kibana-on-merge - main build. This build is a critical part of the CI pipeline, and it provides a snapshot of the testing process at a particular point in time.

Possible Causes

There are several possible causes for this failure:

Async Test: The test may be an async test, which means that it uses callbacks or promises to handle asynchronous operations. In this case, the test may not have called the 'done()' function or returned a resolved promise, leading to a timeout.
Hook: The test may be using a hook, which is a function that is called before or after a test. In this case, the hook may not have been properly implemented, leading to a timeout.
Promise: The test may be returning a promise, but the promise may not have been resolved, leading to a timeout.

Solutions

To resolve this issue, we need to investigate the test code and identify the possible causes. Here are some possible solutions:

Review Test Code: Review the test code to ensure that it is properly implemented and that it calls the 'done()' function or returns a resolved promise.
Implement Hooks Properly: Implement hooks properly to ensure that they are called before or after a test.
Resolve Promises: Resolve promises to ensure that they are properly handled.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the failure of the Chrome X-Pack UI Functional Tests is a critical issue that requires immediate attention. By analyzing the error message and understanding the possible causes, we can identify the root cause of the issue and implement solutions to resolve it. By following the solutions outlined in this article, we can ensure that our testing process is reliable and efficient.

Best Practices

To avoid similar failures in the future, here are some best practices to follow:

Write Clear and Concise Test Code: Write clear and concise test code that is easy to understand and maintain.
Use Async/Await: Use async/await to handle asynchronous operations in a more readable and maintainable way.
Implement Hooks Properly: Implement hooks properly to ensure that they are called before or after a test.
Resolve Promises: Resolve promises to ensure that they are properly handled.

Future Work

In the future, we plan to:

Improve Test Code: Improve the test code to make it more readable and maintainable.
Implement Async/Await: Implement async/await to handle asynchronous operations in a more readable and maintainable way.
Review Hooks: Review hooks to ensure that they are properly implemented.
Resolve Promises: Resolve promises to ensure that they are properly handled.

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the failure of the Chrome X-Pack UI Functional Tests and identified the possible causes and solutions. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to help you better understand the issue and its resolution.

Q: What is the Chrome X-Pack UI Functional Tests?

A: The Chrome X-Pack UI Functional Tests is a set of tests designed to ensure the functionality and reliability of the Chrome X-Pack UI. These tests are part of the continuous integration (CI) pipeline and are run automatically to ensure that the code is working as expected.

Q: What is the error message that triggered this investigation?

A: The error message that triggered this investigation is as follows:

Error: Timeout of 360000ms exceeded. For async tests and hooks, ensure "done()" is called; if returning a Promise, ensure it resolves. (/opt/buildkite-agent/builds/bk-agent-prod-gcp-1741633057010394975/elastic/kibana-on-merge/kibana/x-pack/test/functional/apps/status_page/status_page.ts)
    at listOnTimeout (node:internal/timers:581:17)
    at processTimers (node:internal/timers:519:7) {
  code: 'ERR_MOCHA_TIMEOUT',
  timeout: 360000,
  file: '/opt/buildkite-agent/builds/bk-agent-prod-gcp-1741633057010394975/elastic/kibana-on-merge/kibana/x-pack/test/functional/apps/status_page/status_page.ts'
}

Q: What is the possible cause of the error?

A: The possible cause of the error is that the test is an async test, and the 'done()' function is not being called or the promise is not being resolved.

Q: How can I resolve the issue?

A: To resolve the issue, you need to review the test code and ensure that it is properly implemented and that it calls the 'done()' function or returns a resolved promise.

Q: What are some best practices to follow to avoid similar failures in the future?

A: Some best practices to follow to avoid similar failures in the future are:

Write Clear and Concise Test Code: Write clear and concise test code that is easy to understand and maintain.
Use Async/Await: Use async/await to handle asynchronous operations in a more readable and maintainable way.
Implement Hooks Properly: Implement hooks properly to ensure that they are called before or after a test.
Resolve Promises: Resolve promises to ensure that they are properly handled.

Q: What is the future work plan to improve the testing process?

A: The future work plan includes:

Improving Test Code: Improve the test code to make it more readable and maintainable.
Implementing Async/Await: Implement async/await to handle asynchronous operations in a more readable and maintainable way.
Reviewing Hooks: Review hooks to ensure that they are properly implemented.
Resolving Promises: Resolve promises to ensure that they are properly handled.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the failure of the Chrome X-Pack UI Functional Tests is a critical issue that requires immediate attention. By analyzing the error message and understanding the possible causes, we can identify the root cause of the issue and implement solutions to resolve it. By following the best practices outlined in this article, we can ensure that our testing process is reliable and efficient.

Additional Resources

For more information on testing and continuous integration, please refer to the following resources:

We hope this Q&A article has provided you with a better understanding of the issue and its resolution. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.