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@eliasnogueira
Created July 18, 2025 14:34
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Test Smarter, Not Harder: Achieving Confidence in Complex Distributed Systems

Description

The presentation starts by addressing common testing pitfalls in distributed systems, like using in-memory databases, brittle mocks, and flaky async tests. It introduces a real-world fintech architecture with microservices, multiple databases, external APIs, and asynchronous workflows. The core strategy covers five areas: using real dependencies, avoiding in-memory DBs, virtualizing external systems, testing async flows properly, and establishing strong API governance. Through code examples and practical tips, the session shows how to build fast, reliable, and realistic test pipelines that boost confidence in complex systems.

Takeaways

  • Supporting multiple databases to speed up the CI process
  • Mock dependencies globally using the Service Virtualization approach
  • Test asynchronous requests

Target audience

  • Senior Engineers (backend, qa)
  • Tech Leads
  • Engineering Managers

Elevator pitch

In today’s complex distributed systems, fast testing often comes at the cost of confidence. In this talk, I’ll show you how to test smarter by using real dependencies, handling async workflows, and virtualizing external systems/dependencies.

You'll leave with practical strategies to create reliable, scalable tests that reflect production reality without slowing you down.

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