The Latest

Finding Answers on the Net[magazine]

The Internet provides a wealth of information on software quality and testing. However, finding that information can be a challenge. In this first edition of Web Watch, Brian Marick tells you how to start your search.

Brian Marick
Tracking Severity: Assessing and Classifying the Impact of Issues (a.k.a. Defects)[magazine]

How does one categorize Severity? Should you use numbers like 1, 2, 3; generic names like High, Medium, Low; or more specific names? A telephone switching system, for example, might use industry-specific categories such as "system issue," "line issue," or "call issue." Other environments, as we'll see in this article, tailor classification terms to meet their own functional needs.

Tim Dyes
Heuristic Test Oracles[magazine]

For automated testing, expected results are generated using a test oracle. Here is a look at how heuristic oracles can strike a balance between exhaustive comparison and no comparison at all.

Douglas Hoffman
How We Get More Power from Existing Tests[magazine]

Richard Schooler works with the development and testing of InCert's software behavior analysis tools. In this article, Schooler describes how InCert leveraged their automated tests by thinking carefully about changes that allowed test reuse.

Richard Schooler
A look at QARun, a GUI test automation tool[magazine]

QACenter provides an integrated solution that will help you test GUI applications and track the bugs you find. As with most tool suites, you get the best results if you use all the features. If you don't need some parts of QACenter, the integration is less important to you. Then the strengths and weaknesses of the individual tools, like QARun, are more significant.

Noel Nyman
Software Measurement Programs[magazine]

A metrics program is any planned activity in which you use measurement to meet some specific goal. If you do not have a clear technical goal for a metrics program, then you are almost certainly not ready for such a program. Here's how to design a measurement program that leads to decisions and actions.

Norman Fenton
Making the Right Choice: The Features You Need in a GUI Test Automation Tool[magazine]

GUI (graphical user interface) tools can boast a lot of capabilities. Approaching GUI test automation as a programming project, you'll need a tool appropriate to the size of your project. Here's a rundown of the key features you'll need in the GUI test automation product you buy.

Elisabeth Hendrickson's picture Elisabeth Hendrickson
How to Ensure that Your Configuration Management System will Function Fully and Correctly[magazine]

No matter what the origin of your CM software, improper installation, poor training, and program defects can lead to disaster. This article discusses how to make the most of your current CM tools, and how to ensure that your CM system will do what it's supposed to do.

Bob Johnson
Getting Automated Testing Under Control[magazine]

The authors have overcome a lot of the roadblocks to systems testing, especially automated testing. In this article they present their ideas and techniques that are easy to implement (for example, test clusters, templates, and navigation methods).

Anticipating Human Error[magazine]

This article makes three points. First, errors happen. Second, systems can encourage errors. Third, a basic understanding of the kinds of errors humans make can help us design better systems. Here are some suggestions to help avert trouble.
 

Ramon M. Felciano
A Recipe for Success: Ingredients for Building a Great Software Team[magazine]

Great people, interesting work, and smart referees make for a successful software team. Bobbie Patnode recommends some ways to keep your team engaged, including treating them well, paying them well, and training them well.

Bobbie Patnode
It's January 1, 2000 . . . What Have You Overlooked?[magazine]

You have a Y2K effort in place, and it's all about preparation for an event you know is coming. What have you overlooked that’s going to bite you? This article will help give you 20-20 foresight to anticipate potential "gotchas."

Robin F. Goldsmith
Packaged-Software Indigestion[magazine]

Vendor reviews are a wonderful technique to taste before you swallow commercial, off-the-shelf software. They're also a great way to build a partnership with your business decision-makers on packaged-software projects, instead of being brought in late or left out completely. Here are some important things to consider when conducting a vendor review.

Eileen M. Strider
Reporting Systems: Tracking the Details[magazine]

If you're paying the bill for all the graphics, glitz, and applets, you're going to want to have some evidence that thousands of potential customers have actually seen your Web site. Here is a step-by-step recipe for testing system, network, and Internet reporting systems.

Len DiMaggio
Web Load Test Planning[magazine]

Predicting how a particular Web site will respond to a specific load is a real challenge. Here are three basic steps necessary to design highly realistic and accurate Web site load tests.

Alberto Savoia

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