What is considered a best practice when migrating an application from a data center to the cloud?

Deploying to a test environment to validate functionality and performance is a crucial best practice when migrating an application from a data center to the cloud. This approach allows for a controlled setting where the application can be thoroughly tested, enabling the identification of potential issues related to performance, compatibility, and functionality before making the application live for users.

Testing in a separate environment helps ensure that all crucial aspects of the application work correctly in the new cloud environment, including dependencies, data connections, and integration with other services, effectively reducing the risk of disruptions when the application is finally moved to production. This practice emphasizes the importance of risk management and ensuring a smooth transition to the cloud, which is vital for maintaining service quality and user experience.