Properly handle async tests and hooks

Oct 13, 2025 by pynkocean.com 61 views

Introduction

In the world of software development, testing is an essential step to ensure the quality and reliability of a product. However, even with rigorous testing, 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 article is a timeout error, which indicates that the test took longer than expected to complete. The message reads:

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-1741577879976231824/elastic/kibana-on-merge/kibana/x-pack/test/functional_basic/apps/transform/feature_controls/index.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-1741577879976231824/elastic/kibana-on-merge/kibana/x-pack/test/functional_basic/apps/transform/feature_controls/index.ts'
}

Understanding the Error

The error message indicates that the test timed out after 360 seconds (6 minutes). This suggests that the test was taking longer than expected to complete, and the timeout was triggered. The error message also provides some guidance on how to resolve the issue, by suggesting that the developer ensure that the done() function is called, or that any promises returned by the test are resolved.

The First Failure

The first failure occurred on the kibana-on-merge - main build. This indicates that the test failure was not an isolated incident, but rather a recurring issue that needs to be addressed.

Possible Causes

There are several possible causes for this test failure. Some of the most likely causes include:

Slow test execution: The test may be taking longer than expected to complete, causing the timeout to be triggered.
Async test or hook: The test may be using an async test or hook, which is not properly handled, causing the timeout to be triggered.
Unresolved promises: The test may be returning a promise that is not properly resolved, causing the timeout to be triggered.

Solutions

To resolve this test failure, the following solutions can be implemented:

Optimize test execution: The test execution time can be optimized by reducing the number of tests, or by improving the test code to make it more efficient.
Properly handle async tests and hooks: The async tests and hooks can be properly handled by ensuring that the done() function is called, or that any promises returned by the test are resolved.
Resolve promises: The promises returned by the test can be resolved by ensuring that they are properly handled, and that any errors are caught and handled.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the test failure that occurred on the Chrome X-Pack UI Functional Tests Basic License - transform - feature controls.x-pack/test/functional_basic/apps/transform/feature_controls/index.ts test is a timeout error. The error message indicates that the test took longer than expected to complete, and suggests that the developer ensure that the done() function is called, or that any promises returned by the test are resolved. The possible causes of this test failure include slow test execution, async test or hook, and unresolved promises. The solutions to this test failure include optimizing test execution, properly handling async tests and hooks, and resolving promises.

Troubleshooting Steps

To troubleshoot this test failure, the following steps can be taken:

Review the test code: The test code can be reviewed to identify any potential issues that may be causing the test to take longer than expected to complete.
Optimize test execution: The test execution time can be optimized by reducing the number of tests, or by improving the test code to make it more efficient.
Properly handle async tests and hooks: The async tests and hooks can be properly handled by ensuring that the done() function is called, or that any promises returned by the test are resolved.
Resolve promises: The promises returned by the test can be resolved by ensuring that they are properly handled, and that any errors are caught and handled.

Best Practices

To prevent this test failure from occurring in the future, the following best practices can be implemented:

Write efficient tests: The tests can be written to be more efficient, by reducing the number of tests, or by improving the test code to make it more efficient.
Properly handle async tests and hooks: The async tests and hooks can be properly handled by ensuring that the done() function is called, or that any promises returned by the test are resolved.
Resolve promises: The promises returned by the test can be resolved by ensuring that they are properly handled, and that any errors are caught and handled.

Conclusion

Q: What is the Chrome X-Pack UI Functional Tests Basic License - Transform - Feature Controls test?

A: The Chrome X-Pack UI Functional Tests Basic License - Transform - Feature Controls test is a test suite that is used to verify the functionality of the X-Pack UI in Kibana. The test suite includes a set of tests that are designed to ensure that the X-Pack UI is working correctly and that it is meeting the expected functionality.

Q: What is the purpose of the "after all" hook in the test?

A: The "after all" hook is a special type of hook that is used to execute a set of code after all the tests in the test suite have been executed. In this case, the "after all" hook is used to trigger a specific test, which is the "transform basic license" test.

Q: What is the "transform basic license" test?

A: The "transform basic license" test is a test that is designed to verify the functionality of the transform basic license feature in the X-Pack UI. The test is used to ensure that the feature is working correctly and that it is meeting the expected functionality.

Q: What is the error message that is displayed when the test fails?

A: The error message that is displayed when the test fails is a timeout error message. The message indicates that the test took longer than expected to complete and that the timeout was triggered.

Q: What are the possible causes of the test failure?

A: The possible causes of the test failure include slow test execution, async test or hook, and unresolved promises.

Q: How can the test failure be resolved?

A: The test failure can be resolved by optimizing test execution, properly handling async tests and hooks, and resolving promises.

Q: What are some best practices that can be implemented to prevent the test failure from occurring in the future?

A: Some best practices that can be implemented to prevent the test failure from occurring in the future include writing efficient tests, properly handling async tests and hooks, and resolving promises.

Q: What is the importance of testing in software development?

A: Testing is an essential step in software development that helps to ensure the quality and reliability of a product. Testing helps to identify and fix bugs, and it also helps to ensure that the product meets the expected functionality.

Q: What are some common types of tests that are used in software development?

A: Some common types of tests that are used in software development include unit tests, integration tests, and functional tests.

Q: What is the difference between a unit test and a functional test?

A: A unit test is a test that is used to verify the functionality of a single unit of code, such as a function or a method. A functional test, on the other hand, is a test that is used to verify the functionality of a larger piece of code, such as a feature or a component.

Q: What is the importance of continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) in software development?

A: Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) is a practice that involves automating the build, test, and deployment of software code. CI/CD helps to ensure that the software code is of high quality and that it meets the expected functionality. It also helps to reduce the time and effort required to develop and deploy software code.

Q: What are some common tools that are used in CI/CD?

A: Some common tools that are used in CI/CD include Jenkins, Travis CI, and CircleCI.