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Software test management: Produce quality applications by fostering culture of respect
A culture of mutual respect and one in which senior management values quality are crucial elements in producing high quality applications for customers. Feature
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Continuous integration: Tools and trends
In this story, SSQ contributor Crystal Bedell describes the benefits of continuous integration, tools that are being used, and the trends for more mature continuous integration techniques: continuous deployment and continuous delivery. Feature
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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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Belgium Testing Days: A look at a conference outside of the U.S.
Well-known author and Agile expert Lisa Crispin attends her share of conferences around the globe. In this story she reports back on her experience of attending Belgium Testing Days in February 2011. Crispin talks about some of the cultural differenc... Report
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Security lesson: How to test for common security defects
In this security defects lesson, information security expert Kevin Beaver explores the underlying causes of gaps in the software testing process and offers suggestions on what can be done to fix this problem once and for all. Tutorial
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Common software security oversights school
Common software security oversights can cause weaknesses you cannot afford to overlook. Kevin Beaver will share with you just what you need to know in order to find the most Web security vulnerabilities that are important in your environment and spec... 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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Agile software development tutorial: Agile testing
In this section of our agile tutorial, learn how to be a successful software tester in an agile environment, from tips on agile test development to exploratory testing techniques. Tutorial
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Software testing fundamentals: Testing basics
Software testing experts weigh in on creating test plans, writing test cases, choosing test models and other basic building blocks of software testing. Learning Guide
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The practical side of Agile Testing Days: Insights for software testing
In this second of a two-part series about Agile Testing Days in Potsdam, Germany, Agile expert Lisa Crispin continues her account of the conference, describing some of the more practical and technical sessions. News | 02 Dec 2011
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International conference coverage: The people side of Agile Testing Days
Agile expert Lisa Crispin comes home inspired from Agile Testing Days in Potsdam, Germany. In this first part of a two-part series, Crispin summarizes sessions relating to teaming, learning and stepping out of your comfort zone. News | 02 Dec 2011
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Writing About Testing (WAT): A conference for software testers who write
Style and grace were the values emphasized at the 2011 conference in Durango for testers who write about the art. SSQ Agile expert Lisa Crispin attended this conference and brings back the highlights. News | 22 Jun 2011
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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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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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STAREAST: Seven ways to beat top software testing challenges and problems
Software testers face different testing challenges based on their specific contexts and experiences. At the STAREAST conference, Lloyd Roden of Grove Consultants described seven software testing challenges and tips on how to overcome them. News | 04 May 2011
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STAREAST: An interview about Test Centers of Excellence with Tom Delmonte
What exactly is a Test Center of Excellence (TCoE) and how do quality organizations go about putting one together? In this interview with STAREAST presenter and quality advocate Tom Delmonte, we find out more about TCoEs and how they can be effective... 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
- See More: News on Software Testing Methodologies
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Acceptance test-driven development: Customers driving tests
Acceptance test-driven development (ATDD) is a technique used to bring customers into the test design process before coding has begun. Tip
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Agile testing quadrants: Guiding managers and teams in test strategies
Agile expert Lisa Crispin explains the four Agile testing quadrants and how they can guide managers and development teams in creating a test strategy. Tip
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Defect tracking: Lean principles for getting the right data at the right time
In this tip, author Paul E. McMahon describes how Lean principles can be used to help determine when defect tracking is appropriate for your organization and what type of data is important to collect. Tip
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How to use the cloud for improved Agile testing
In this article, Francis Miers explains the many benefits of using the cloud in Agile testing to reduce costs, foster stronger team communication and simplify test management of a dispersed team. Tip
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Tips for interpreting JMeter results
Interpretation of results from performance test tools is complicated. Learn how to interpret data from your JMeter Listeners using scatter charts, and by using the Aggregate Report Listener and the Monitor Results Listener. Tip
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Mobility testing: Five challenges and how to address them
Smart phones and other mobility devices continue to grow, as do challenges with mobile testing. This tip addresses each of these challenges with advice on how to best overcome them. Tip
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Smart phones: Implementing a test automation architecture
Test automation of smart phones and other mobile devices has become a necessity. Learn how to best approach test design, test automation and test execution in order to yield the best ROI. Tip
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Software test professionals: Five tester personality types
Balancing a test team with diverse skill sets and personalities can help provide a strong team. In this tip, Catherine Powell describes five distinctive tester personality types: the questioner, the fixer, the submarine, the visual aide and the utili... Tip
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Software testing from the ground up
Where do you start when asked to test software? In this tip, SSQ contributor Matt Heusser talks about the tutorial he is delivering at STPCon with Pete Walen about software testing from the ground up. Learn about quick attacks, domain analysis and kn... Tip
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Software testing: Why test metrics programs fail
“Most testing metrics are internally focused, and this is one of the primary reasons for these programs to fail,” says Infosys leader Vasudeva Naidu. In this tip, Naidu describes this and other issues and gives four golden rules of testing metrics ma... Tip
- See More: Tips on Software Testing Methodologies
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Release management: Software testing in production
When asked about testing during production, most people might initially recommend against it. However, upon closer examination, expert Pete Walen offers some insights into situations where testing may be helpful in production. Answer
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Software testing during the build and release phase
While perhaps no testing is absolutely required during the build and release phase of a project, according to expert Pete Walen, there are specific results that need to be reviewed. In this response he explains what to look for when supporting contin... Answer
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Testing in Agile development: Separating developing and testing
Each testing team has different needs, and each tester needs control over his or her own testing environment, according to expert Lisa Crispin. Read this response for insights into how to manage testing activities in Agile development. Answer
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When should suggested "enhancements" be tracked as software defects?
In this expert response, Pete Walen examines the various possible meanings of "enhancement" and explains when testers should document a request for enhancement as a defect. Answer
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When tracking changes to test cases is necessary
Is it necessary to track changes made to test cases? Expert Pete Walen explores this issue and offers some helpful advice. Answer
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Strategies for optimizing browser compatibility testing
In this expert response, consultant Karen Johnson describes strategies she uses for browser compatibility testing. Experience and knowledge of common vulnerabilities and developers' preferences can be helpful in knowing which areas to attack first. 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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Verifying user authentication and data encryption in your Web service
Application security is a tricky aspect of development, and it’s usually best to rely on the professionals to authenticate users and encrypt data. However, there are steps development teams can take to validate that these processes are being performe... 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
- See More: Expert Advice on Software Testing Methodologies
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static verification
Static verification is the set of processes that analyzes code to ensure defined coding practices are being followed, without executing the application itself. Word
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load testing
Load testing is the process of subjecting a computer, peripheral, server, network or application to a work level approaching the limits of its specifications... (Continued) Word
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context-driven testing
Context-driven testing is a paradigm for developing and debugging computer software that takes into account the ways in which the programs will be used or are expected to be used in the real world... (Continued) Word
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black box
A black box is any device whose workings are not understood by or accessible to its user. According to Edward Tenner, writing in The Washington Post, the first black box was a gun sight carried on World War II Flying Fortresses, with hidden component... Word
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Software Testing with Matt Sullivan and Scott Barber
Matt Sullivan and Scott Barber discuss their presentation at STPCon 2011, which addressed software testing and software systems testing, among other topics. Video
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Carl Shaulis on Kanban at STPCon2011
Carl Shaulis from HomeAway.com gave a presentation at STPCon 2011 on how testing can work in the world of kanban. Watch this video for a brief overview of the processes his company identified for expediting testing in an Agile setting using kanban. Video
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Tester's role in Agile environment with Rob Walsh
Rob Walsh from Excalibur discusses the tester's role in the Agile environment at STPCon 2011. Video
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Sam Charrington, Appistry CloudIO
Appistry CloudIO Manager is the enhanced management arm of CloudIO Platform v4.0 for public and private clouds. In this video, Sam Charrington talks about the new product's deployment and operational features. He is product management vice president ... Video
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Software Testing: Assessing risk and scope
During a software project, there will always be more features to test than time you have to test them. So, how do you determine how much testing you'll do and how much risk is involved in setting limits? Podcast
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Software test management: Produce quality applications by fostering culture of respect
A culture of mutual respect and one in which senior management values quality are crucial elements in producing high quality applications for customers. Feature
-
Acceptance test-driven development: Customers driving tests
Acceptance test-driven development (ATDD) is a technique used to bring customers into the test design process before coding has begun. Tip
-
Agile testing quadrants: Guiding managers and teams in test strategies
Agile expert Lisa Crispin explains the four Agile testing quadrants and how they can guide managers and development teams in creating a test strategy. Tip
-
Defect tracking: Lean principles for getting the right data at the right time
In this tip, author Paul E. McMahon describes how Lean principles can be used to help determine when defect tracking is appropriate for your organization and what type of data is important to collect. Tip
-
The practical side of Agile Testing Days: Insights for software testing
In this second of a two-part series about Agile Testing Days in Potsdam, Germany, Agile expert Lisa Crispin continues her account of the conference, describing some of the more practical and technical sessions. News
-
International conference coverage: The people side of Agile Testing Days
Agile expert Lisa Crispin comes home inspired from Agile Testing Days in Potsdam, Germany. In this first part of a two-part series, Crispin summarizes sessions relating to teaming, learning and stepping out of your comfort zone. News
-
How to use the cloud for improved Agile testing
In this article, Francis Miers explains the many benefits of using the cloud in Agile testing to reduce costs, foster stronger team communication and simplify test management of a dispersed team. Tip
-
Tips for interpreting JMeter results
Interpretation of results from performance test tools is complicated. Learn how to interpret data from your JMeter Listeners using scatter charts, and by using the Aggregate Report Listener and the Monitor Results Listener. Tip
-
Software Testing with Matt Sullivan and Scott Barber
Matt Sullivan and Scott Barber discuss their presentation at STPCon 2011, which addressed software testing and software systems testing, among other topics. Video
-
Carl Shaulis on Kanban at STPCon2011
Carl Shaulis from HomeAway.com gave a presentation at STPCon 2011 on how testing can work in the world of kanban. Watch this video for a brief overview of the processes his company identified for expediting testing in an Agile setting using kanban. Video
- See More: All on Software Testing Methodologies
About Software Testing Methodologies
Software testing is used to determine whether a software application is producing the expected results. Depending on the methodology used and the type of testing that's being done, it can happen at any time in the software development process. Agile methodologies use test-driven development (TDD), in which tests are written before the code is written. Using this type of model, developers and testers are often paired and work together organizationally, throughout the software development lifecycle. However, in traditional methodologies such as a waterfall model, testing occurs after coding has been completed. Some methodologies further define phases of test, such as unit, integration, system, system integration, regression, and acceptance test.