Basis path testing is a structural testing technique that identifies test cases based on the flows or logical paths that can be taken through the software. A basis path is a unique path through the software where no iterations are allowed; they're atomic level paths, and all possible paths through the system are linear combinations of them. Basis path testing uses a Cyclomatic metric that measures the complexity of a source code unit by examining the control flow structure. Basis path testing can also be applied to integration testing when software units/components are integrated together. You'll see how the use of the technique quantifies the integration effort involved as well as the design-level complexity.

Robin Sahner looks at generating test code with Teradyne TestMaster. His group evaluated TestMaster on two projects. It did what they hoped it would, and now they're using TestMaster on all of their projects. They're not employing it to shorten their test development time or use fewer people; instead they plan to use it to get a more complete, more easily maintained set of functional tests using the same resources. Editors Note: Teradyne SST has become a new company called Empirix.

The basic problem with exception handling is that it is difficult! Exception handling in modern languages makes it easy to drastically change the contents of memory. The next instruction executed may be very distant from the site of the exception, and required cleanup might not be done. In C++ the problem can be particularly acute, with lost memory not reclaimed correctly. For these reasons, it's critical for good testing of exception handling that we test all representative sequences of normal and exceptional calls.

You've probably heard the question about noise in the forest: Does a tree falling in the forest make any noise if no one is there to hear it? Noel Nyman examines the question, "Is a bug a bug if no user can ever make it happen?"