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STAREAST 2011: News and interviews from SearchSoftwareQuality.com
SSQ editors and contributors attended this conference May 1-6, and offer insight into the latest innovations in software testing. Check here for stories, tips, interviews and videos featuring many of the industry's greatest thinkers. Report
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Full Spectrum of soapUI for open source software testing: Tutorial
In this four-part series on soapUI, learn tips and tricks to perform a number of different software testing operations using this widely-accepted open source tool. Tutorial
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Why automated software testing fails and pitfalls to avoid
This is a chapter excerpt from recently published title "Why Automated Software Testing Fails and Pitfalls to Avoid" offers new takes on automated research and development, software development considerations and much more. Book Excerpt
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Choosing, using software, tools for a Testing Center of Excellence tutorial
Lack of an overall test architecture can lead to product choices that may be effective in the short-term but lead to additional long-term costs or even replacement of a previously selected toolset. Learn what testing software and tool vendor your tea... Learning Guide
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Building a Testing Center of Excellence: A tutorial
In this tutorial, senior test architect David W. Johnson shares winning approaches he's learned from his work on several successful TCoE implementations. Johnson walks you through a TCoE's core concepts and benefits, getting started, key players on t... Learning Guide
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When to use manual vs. automated software testing tools
When does it make sense to use an automated software testing tool? When is automation a bad idea? Get detailed answers and expert advice on choosing automated versus manual testing tools. Feature
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Functional testing of Web services
Usually when you think about functional testing, you visualize some sort of user interface (UI) for inputting data: a well-defined form or page with fields and arrows and boxes and other eye candy. And most modern functional test tools were designed ... Blogs
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Professionalism and discipline in software development: Q&A with Bob Martin
What is the role of QA when developers are automating more and more of the test efforts? What’s the best way to give code estimates? Software guru “Uncle Bob” Martin answers these questions in this first part of a two-part interview about his new boo... News | 03 Jan 2012
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How are Agile testing and traditional testing different? Interview with George Dinwiddie – Part 1
In part one of this two-part interview, we take a closer look at Agile testing with Agile consultant George Dinwiddie. News | 25 May 2011
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What skills are needed for Agile testing? Interview with George Dinwiddie – Part 2
Is it necessary for Agile testers to know how to develop code? Are test certifications necessary? Yvette Francino asks Agile consultant George Dinwiddie in part two of this two-part interview. News | 25 May 2011
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Managing Software Debt: Interview with author Chris Sterling -- Part one
Software debt refers to those software development tasks we put off that put our project at risk. By not addressing software debt, we slow down software delivery. In part one of this two-part interview, SSQ site editor Yvette Francino talks to Chris ... News | 09 May 2011
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Assessing ROI of addressing software debt: Interview with author Chris Sterling -- Part two
Software debt can be a big problem, but is the cost of addressing it worth the expense and effort? In the second part of this two-part interview, Chris Sterling, author of "Managing Software Debt: Building for Inevitable Change," gives helpful advice... News | 09 May 2011
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Agile testing success with Janet Gregory
How has Agile testing changed over the past 10 years and what are the most important skills for an Agile tester? These are two of the questions that are explored in this interview between Lisa Crispin and Janet Gregory, co-authors of, "Agile Testing ... News | 27 Apr 2011
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Building an Agile test practice: Q&A with advocates for quality
What does it take to add a test practice on top of a high-functioning Agile team? The task at Menlo Innovations was to incorporate QA into their practices. How did they do it? Matt Heusser interviews two quality advocates from Menlo Innovations to fi... News | 26 Apr 2011
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STAREAST: Testing with FitNesse and Selenium – Q&A with Dawn Cannan
Dawn Cannan, a presenter at the STAREAST conference, speaks with SSQ contributor Chris McMahon about her presentation titled, "Creating Executable Specifications and Tests with FitNesse and Selenium." Cannan gives some specific examples of the use of... News | 18 Apr 2011
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"Near-shore" expansion of SQS software testing facility in Belfast
Outsourcing testing services to "offshore" sites such as India or China is a popular model for many US or European organizations. However, there's been an increased demand for "near-shore" testing, according to Rob McConnell, SQS Regional Director fo... News | 02 Mar 2011
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Automation, continuous integration and continuous improvement in Agile ALM -- Part 2
Advice on automation in application lifecycle management is given by Agile ALM author, Michael Hüttermann in this second part of an interview with site editor, Yvette Francino. In this Q&A, Hüttermann answers questions about programming skills requir... News | 04 Feb 2011
- See More: News on Automated Software Testing
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Devising a test automation strategy: Getting started
In this tip by Agile expert Lisa Crispin, learn the important steps to move your organization forward with a well-planned automation strategy. Tip
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Test automation tools for mobile devices
Software consultant Nari Kannan writes about the challenges in automating the testing of mobile apps and some popular solutions that are available for them today. Tip
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Automation testing: Seven tips for functional test design
In this tip, Chris McMahon describes seven tips for testing leaders that will ensure you are designing your automation tests correctly so that they will be maintainable and catch the bugs before the code hits production. Tip
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Mobile Web applications: Monitoring test triggers
Learn how to build out a system for monitoring test triggers for mobile Web application and its supporting systems. Tip
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The whole-team approach to Agile development: Examples and benefits
Lisa Crispin continues in this second tip in the series by giving real-life examples and benefits gained from practicing the whole-team approach on Agile development teams. Tip
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Agile development: The whole-team approach
In this tip, SSQ Agile expert Lisa Crispin explains the concept of the whole-team approach in depth, addressing questions of team structure and mainstream challenges. Tip
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Continuous integration: Quality from the start with automated regression
Using appropriate automated testing will efficiently bake quality into your code from the start. In this tip, learn how continuous integration is key to enhancing quality throughout the development process. Tip
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Global application testing: Internationalization and localization
In this tip, SSQ contributor Matt Heusser explains how to test for internationalization and localization, including techniques, tools and quick attacks to weed out hard-to-find bugs. Tip
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The motivation behind continuous integration in embedded software development
This tip, the first of a two-part series, speaks to the role that continuous integration plays to help you create better releases and reduce the workload in embedded software development. Tip
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The role of continuous integration in embedded software development -- better, faster and cheaper
In this second part of a two-part series, consultant Howard Deiner talks about the benefits of CI, specifically when used for embedded software development. Tip
- See More: Tips on Automated Software Testing
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How to keep up with application testing in rapidly changing environments
Software testers must be able to adapt to constantly shifting testing needs, particularly in the mobile environment. Expert Pete Walen offers some sound advice for using automated scripts, testing following an update and engaging your team's critical... Answer
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Mobile software testing: Similar tests, different environments
According to software testing expert Pete Walen, the basics behind testing don't change much from one environment to another, though the testing methods may vary. Mobility testing may seem challenging, but in this response, Walen explains how some of... Answer
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How to implement automated security testing in the continuous integration cycle
According to expert John Overbaugh, testers can implement automated testing to catch code security issues, and to conduct unit, acceptance and functional testing in an Agile environment. Here he explains the different types of tests and how to automa... Answer
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Exploratory testing and regression testing in continuous integration
Expert Lisa Crispin explains how and when to implement exploratory testing, automated regression testing and manual regression tests in an Agile development environment. Answer
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APM tools: Applying automated testing earlier in the development lifecycle
ALM expert Kevin Parker advocates for the use of application performance monitoring tools earlier in the development lifecycle, in concert with earlier automated testing. Read this response for his take on the uses of APM tools. Answer
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Making sense of test automation: When and what to automate
Organizations want to take advantage of what automation has to offer, yet it needs to be cost-effective and time-efficient. Read expert Pete Walen's take on a commonly heard recommendation: "Automate everything that makes sense to automate." Answer
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Expand your automation testing skill set to boost development team value
Testers and programmers must continually learn new skills and reach out to their team members and other experts to find the newest tools and approaches for test automation. Expert Lisa Crispin explains how acquiring new skills can enhance both the ef... Answer
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Automation testing, tools and frameworks enhance business value
Automating test needs can provide business value and improved software performance. In this expert response, Lisa Crispin defines automation as it pertains to testing, explains the tools and frameworks involved, and offers tips on how to decide when ... Answer
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Conducting automated testing on the user interface early and often
Early user interface automated testing can be tricky when the requirements are still changing. Yet, it is important to conduct repeatable testing even when functional and nonfunctional requirements are still stabilizing. This expert response offers a... Answer
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Test automation for your team: How to begin
Initiating test automation on your project team may seem challenging, or even overwhelming. Fortunately, expert Karen Johnson has been through this process and has some insights into how to best begin. She offers some questions you can ask of your te... Answer
- See More: Expert Advice on Automated Software Testing
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Improving software testing productivity using record-playback
Test pro describes the benefits and shortcomings of record-playback software testing tools, and offers recommendations in this podcast. Podcast
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Accelerating Agile testing with computer assistance
According to test pro Matt Heusser full test automation is not completely possible, testers can not always rely on a test tool to find all possible issues. Though test tools will often catch the most allusive issues one should never dillute the acute... Podcast
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Liz Andrews, Marketing Manager, Altova
Altova's new MapForce 2009, automates EDI files or data in coordinance with new health standard (HL7) and Extensible Business Reporting Language. Video
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Creating strong QA and testing strategies in a changing world
Software quality and testing can remain robust -- even in lean economic times -- when a clear, consistent project strategy is in place and automation is used judiciously. Podcast
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Devising a test automation strategy: Getting started
In this tip by Agile expert Lisa Crispin, learn the important steps to move your organization forward with a well-planned automation strategy. Tip
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Professionalism and discipline in software development: Q&A with Bob Martin
What is the role of QA when developers are automating more and more of the test efforts? What’s the best way to give code estimates? Software guru “Uncle Bob” Martin answers these questions in this first part of a two-part interview about his new boo... News
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Test automation tools for mobile devices
Software consultant Nari Kannan writes about the challenges in automating the testing of mobile apps and some popular solutions that are available for them today. Tip
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Automation testing: Seven tips for functional test design
In this tip, Chris McMahon describes seven tips for testing leaders that will ensure you are designing your automation tests correctly so that they will be maintainable and catch the bugs before the code hits production. Tip
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How to keep up with application testing in rapidly changing environments
Software testers must be able to adapt to constantly shifting testing needs, particularly in the mobile environment. Expert Pete Walen offers some sound advice for using automated scripts, testing following an update and engaging your team's critical... Answer
-
Mobile software testing: Similar tests, different environments
According to software testing expert Pete Walen, the basics behind testing don't change much from one environment to another, though the testing methods may vary. Mobility testing may seem challenging, but in this response, Walen explains how some of... Answer
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Mobile Web applications: Monitoring test triggers
Learn how to build out a system for monitoring test triggers for mobile Web application and its supporting systems. Tip
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How to implement automated security testing in the continuous integration cycle
According to expert John Overbaugh, testers can implement automated testing to catch code security issues, and to conduct unit, acceptance and functional testing in an Agile environment. Here he explains the different types of tests and how to automa... Answer
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Exploratory testing and regression testing in continuous integration
Expert Lisa Crispin explains how and when to implement exploratory testing, automated regression testing and manual regression tests in an Agile development environment. Answer
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The whole-team approach to Agile development: Examples and benefits
Lisa Crispin continues in this second tip in the series by giving real-life examples and benefits gained from practicing the whole-team approach on Agile development teams. Tip
- See More: All on Automated Software Testing
About Automated Software Testing
Test automation refers to programmatic execution rather than manual execution of tests. Automated software testing is useful when tests need to be performed multiple times, such as with regression testing or when testing across multiple platforms. Automation can also help test software at times that manual testing is not easily possible, such as creating a simulated load on a system. Automation tools often use a record and playback feature, allowing a tester to go through a series of steps that are recorded. Then these steps can be repeated via the playback function and run multiple times in different environments or for regression testing. This is also useful for performance testing which will allow, again, for a simulated load or stress test.