Blackbox tests and whitebox tests. These terms get thrown about quite a bit. In a previous post, we referenced Marc Clifton’s advanced unit testing series. If you were already familiar with the domain, his article could immediately build on that background knowledge and extend it. Software testing can be most simply described as “for a given set...   Read Article.

Using GUI-based Automated Test Tools to Test Legacy Applications: A great many companies today are currently running numerous legacy (character-based or "green screen") applications on a variety of platforms (Mainframe, AS/400, Tandem, Stratus, etc.). Furthermore, there is an increasing trend toward integrating these systems with front-end GUI, Internet,...   Read Article.

Totally Data-Driven Automated Testing: The purpose of this document is to provide the reader with a clear understanding of what is actually required to successfully implement cost-effective automated testing. Rather than engage in a theoretical dissertation on this subject, I have endeavored to be as straightforward and brutally honest as possible in...   Read Article.

Why do some testers get a much better response from development than others? Part of the answer lies in the defect report. Following a few simple rules can smooth the way for a much more productive environment. The objective is not to write the perfect defect report, but to write an effective defect report that conveys the proper message, gets the job...   Read Article.

This paper addresses a question often posed by developers who are new to the concept of thorough testing: Why bother to unit test? The question is answered by adopting the position of devil's advocate, presenting some of the common arguments made against unit testing, then proceeding to show how these arguments are worthless. The case for unit testing...   Read Article.

I discuss the use of HTML validators and server stress testing tools to ensure the quality of web applications...   Read Article.

This paper provides a general process for developing unit test specifications, and then describes some specific design techniques for designing unit test cases. It serves as a tutorial for developers who are new to formal testing of software, and as a reminder of some finer points for experienced software testers....   Read Article.

How can you get your test automation project off on the right foot? This article is a direct out come of the answer to this question the author has been put to many times. It has prompted author to review the test automation projects in which he has been involved and identified the factors most associated with success...   Read Article.

Estimation is not an easy task. Estimating testing projects is harder. If there are no tools or methodology to support it, the estimation process is a nightmare for those responsible for it. This essay describes a real experience in the estimation process. It also shows some rules, metrics, tools, and tips that guide a testing team through the estimation...   Read Article.

This paper describes a new approach to testing that uses combinatorial designs to generate tests that cover the pair-wise, triple or n-way combinations of a system's test parameters. These are the parameters that determine the system's test scenarios. Examples are system configuration parameters, user inputs and other external events. We implemented...   Read Article.

A good article on testing... Esp. to explain the differences between Unit Testing and Functional testing....   Read Article.

Testing Software: Challenges for the Future Author: Don Reifer, Reifer Consultants, Inc. Posted by: Anonymous...   Read Article.

Far too often, testing has been the critical link in the chain of productivity in software development. The biggest roadblocks for improving productivity in software development are therefore, more likely to be the roadblocks in the testing operations (not just as a phase)....   Read Article.

Why Do I Test? *I look smarter than I am *It saves me time *Courage to grow the system *Flow...   Read Article.

Article explains the types of testing in different pocket PC applications. Testing applications on Pocket PC requires a special strategy and plan. It’s different from testing normal client/server or web based application. Testing applications for Pocket PC is like a mixture of strategies applied for testing client/server and web based applications....   Read Article.

This paper presents a new approach to the estimation of software testing efforts based on Use Case Points [UCP] as a fundamental project estimation measure. From preliminary applications on our web-based projects, we conjecture that this could in fact be more reliable than FP. The caveat here is that the Vmodel must be in use and use case generation...   Read Article.

This is a white paper on Test Case Point (TCP) Analysis, which basically deals with the estimation of the effort needed for testing projects. The purpose of this article is to provide an introduction to TCP Analysis and its application in non-traditional computing situations. This approach is technology independent and supports the need for estimating,...   Read Article.

This paper walks you through the development of an actual, first-stage automation process. It also explains how to facilitate the formation of an automation team in a lessons-learned study of how to get from here to there, and why you should. It also explains how this newly formed team developed its processes, action plan, and benefits-derived reporting....   Read Article.

Software conformance testing is the process of determining the correctness of an implementation built to the requirements of a functional specification. Exhaustive conformance testing of software is not practical because variable input values and variable sequencing of inputs result in too many possible combinations to test....   Read Article.

Software testers, once the Rodney Dangerfields of the software-development industry, now enjoy much more respect--as well as more satisfying career opportunities and better salaries--thanks to the increasingly competitive software market and the growing complexity of applications....   Read Article.