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Software Testing and QA Fundamentals

  • 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

  • Changes in the way we measure software quality

    Over the years, the way we have developed software has changed, and thus the way we measure software quality has changed. In this third of our three-part interview with Capers Jones and Olivier Bonsignour, co-authors of “The Economics of Software Qua...  News | 02 Nov 2011

  • Software quality attributes and their rankings

    How much do Agile techniques, Agile methodologies, automation, certifications, and a formal QA team affect quality? In this second part of a three-part interview, we explore some of the 121 software attributes ranked by quality value.  News | 02 Nov 2011

  • Quality metrics: The economics of software quality

    In the first of a three-part interview with co-authors Capers Jones and Olivier Bonsignour, we are introduced to their new book, “The Economics of Software Quality.” They describe “structural quality” vs. “functional quality,” along with challenges a...  News | 02 Nov 2011

  • Agile techniques: TDD explained by author Christian Johansen -- Part 1

    'Test-Driven JavaScript Development' author Christian Johansen shares his thoughts on how to properly execute TDD in part 1 of this interview. Johansen describes TDD and compares the technique to traditional white-box unit testing and model based gen...  Interview | 18 Nov 2010

  • Agile techniques: Benefits of test-driven development - Part 2

    Test-Driven JavaScript Development author Christian Johansen describes the benefits and the time required as well as answering some tough questions about how to ensure the quality of the tests themselves.  Interview | 18 Nov 2010

  • Gain better software testing skills: Practice what the pros preach

    CAST Conference presentation on becoming a superstar tester provides insights into ways testers can further their careers. Well-known experts Michael Bolton and Matt Heusser share thoughts on becoming a 'go-to' person and working more efficiently.  Article | 03 Aug 2010

  • Test automation: Business agility requires disposable test assets

    While test automation is hardly a new choice for software development teams, it is often scrutinized by a perceived high-level of maintenance. Despite test automation complexity and initial costs, advocates still preach that value, and streamlining c...  Article | 30 Mar 2010

  • Astronaut's STPCon advice: Teamwork delivers "The Right Stuff"

    STPcon keynote speaker delivers aeronautic analogy to introduce topics for the software conference. Matt Heusser, a test pro for SocialText describes highlights from STPcon.  News | 27 Oct 2009

  • Software consortium seeks standard quality metrics

    Consortium for IT Software Quality (CISQ) a new company is pushing for standardization of measurement and metrics in the software industry. Director and co-founder Dr. Bill Curtis says one of the major failures of the software industry is ignorance t...  Article | 13 Oct 2009

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  • Managing software testing processes on an Agile development team

    In Agile development, testing processes are addressed by the whole team, according to Lisa Crispin. In this expert response, she highlights techniques for teams to work together to improve their testing and QA, including story mapping and Community o...  Answer

  • Choosing the right test management tool: A team effort

    Agile expert Lisa Crispin recommends that teams collaborate in choosing and implementing the appropriate test management tool. Read this response for insights into how test management tools can facilitate collaboration and enhance team productivity.  Answer

  • How test managers measure test team effectiveness

    Software testing expert Pete Walen warns against cookie-cutter metrics for measuring team effectiveness. Read this response for advice on approaching the challenge of measuring tester efficacy.  Answer

  • What to look for in test management tools

    According to expert Peter Walen, flexibility and ease-of-use need to be top concerns when selecting a test management tool.  Answer

  • Team leadership: Motivate your team by being genuine

    According to expert Pete Walen, team motivation stems not from sometimes phony motivational exercises, but rather from taking a real interest in the people on your team. Read this response for insight into how to win over team members through genuine...  Answer

  • Investigating the need for software testing process changes

    Sometimes a complete overhaul in the test process is necessary, but maybe there is another way. In this response, expert Pete Walen provides some tips for testers considering process changes.  Answer

  • Recommended reading for mobile Web design and testing

    There are so many resources out there about the ever-changing world of Web design and mobile testing, but to choose the most salient and insightful books and sites can be tough. In this response, expert Karen Johnson suggests her picks for Web progra...  Answer

  • How network security and application security are related

    Network security is ever-changing and fast-paced, and many software developers may wonder what is necessary for them to know about network security, application security and programming languages to best protect their applications from hackers. In th...  Answer

  • Practicing Scrum with outsourced QA teams

    QA and testing are integral parts of software development, and expert Lisa Crispin holds that the team operates more effectively when QA is not outsourced. However, when this isn't possible, the quality testing group must be involved in daily scrum m...  Answer

  • How to regression test Web-based applications

    Software test consultant John Overbaugh gives some helpful advice about regression testing Web-based applications. Overbaugh describes regression testing browser platforms and how to test for backwards compatibility.  Ask the Expert

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  • garbage in, garbage out (GIGO)

    GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) is a concise expression of a concept common to computer science and mathematics: the quality of output is determined by the quality of the input... (Continued)  Word

  • 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

  • stress testing

    Stress testing is the process of determining the ability of a computer, network, program or device to maintain a certain level of effectiveness under unfavorable conditions... (Continued)  Word

  • NUnit

    NUnit is an evolving, open source framework designed for writing and running tests in Microsoft .NET programming languages... (Continued)  Word

  • quality assurance (QA)

    In developing products and services, quality assurance is any systematic process of checking to see whether a product or service being developed is meeting specified requirements. (Continued...)  Word

  • conformance testing

    Conformance testing, also known as compliance testing, is a methodology used in engineering to ensure that a product, process, computer program or system meets a defined set of standards. These standards are commonly defined by large, independent ent...  Word

  • white box

    A white box or clear box is a device, program or system whose internal workings are well understood. White box testing, also called white box analysis, clear box testing or clear box analysis, is a strategy for software debugging in which the tester ...  Word

  • spaghetti code

    Spaghetti code is a derogatory term for computer programming that is unnecessarily convoluted, and particularly programming code that uses frequent branching from one section of code to another.  Word

  • error handling

    Error handling refers to the anticipation, detection, and resolution of programming, application, and communications errors... (Continued)  Word

  • code review

    Code review is a phase in the computer program development process in which the authors of code, peer reviewers, and perhaps quality assurance reviewers get together to review code, line by line... (Continued)  Word

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  • Tester personality types with Catherine Powell at STPCon 2011

    Watch this video to learn about Catherine Powell's STPCon 2011 presentation, an open jam session that helps participants better understand their tester personality type and what they can contribute to a software testing team.  Video

  • Noah Sussman of Etsy presents at STPCon 2011

    In this video, Noah Sussman from Etsy.com talks about recent changes at Etsy, including production, release and code testing changes that have resulted in company growth. He presented at STPCon 2011, advising on how to manage quality in a fast-paced ...  Video

  • Matt Heusser at STPCon 2011: Interactive sessions

    Matt Heusser talks about his experience at STPCon2011 and all the hands-on activities being offered. He co-led a presentation with Pete Walen and he was involved in experiential open jams sessions. Watch this video to learn more about how to change t...  Video

  • Pete Walen discusses software testing leaders at STPCon2011

    Pete Walen discussed leadership qualities at STPCon2011. Watch this video, in which he invokes Harry Potter to identify leadership strengths that can benefit software testers.  Video

  • Lanette Creamer: Pairing programmers and non-programmers

    Lanette Creamer discusses pairing programmers with non-programmers, such as testers and product owners, in the Agile space. She also highlights her interactive jam session, designed to illuminate collaborative testing techniques.  Video

  • 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

  • Software Testing: How to know you're ready to start testing

    In this podcast, software testing and quality assurance (QA) expert Michael Kelly gives pointers about how to know when you're ready to start testing and the critical elements of good testing processes.  Podcast

  • 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

About Software Testing and QA Fundamentals

Software quality assurance fundamentals cover the basics of the quality assurance discipline and the tools used to manage that discipline. An organization needs to understand quality principles and how quality will affect their reputation and the perception of their products. The cost of fixing defects increases as time progresses through the development lifecycle. Project managers, executives, the QA team, and project teams need to be aware of risk and tradeoffs involved in decisions and tools used to measure and improve software quality.