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Software Testing: Fundamental Principles and Essential Knowledge

 
 
Software Testing: Fundamental Principles and Essential Knowledge
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Software Testing: Fundamental Principles and Essential Knowledge

This book presents concise descriptions and explanations of the software testing topics which were identified by senior software test managers in surveys as being essential knowledge for all levels of software test engineers, software developers, and software program managers. Topics covered include: test case construction, measures of test suite effectiveness, basic combinatorics, crypto-hashing, fundamental project management techniques for testing, essential knowledge such as HTTP state management, module and unit testing, and kernel debugging.

SKU: 

549781439229071

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Product Details:
Author: James D. McCaffrey
Paperback: 118 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Publication Date: April 09, 2009
Language: English
ISBN: 1439229074
Package Length: 8.9 inches
Package Width: 6.0 inches
Package Height: 0.5 inches
Package Weight: 0.4 pounds
Average Customer Rating: based on 8 reviews
 
 

Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Review:4.5 ( 8 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 found the following review helpful:

5If you're thinking of becoming a tester then this is for you  Feb 25, 2011
By Lawrence Esprit
I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer who said this book's geared towards a particular product. On the contrary, it touches on a large number of principles relevant to software testing in a very general sense. As for his second quip regarding human resources and black-box white-box testing, let me explain what the author meant: white box or black box are indeed useful to put on a job description, as a thorough test effort is likely to require skills in both of these (white box=someone who has access to and therefore an understanding of the code).

Now, about the book: what the author has achieved here is vital. I walked into the library (in Wellington, New Zealand) the other day and this book's catchy cover jumped out at me. Thank God this was the first book I found and not some heavy tome filled with jargon or I might have been put off the topic instead of reeled right in!

Dr McCaffrey does an amazing job at breaking down the various topics relevant to testers, explaining each one in a few comprehensive paragraphs. The upshot is that I now have a good idea of what software testing is all about, and feel motivated to learn more. It has set me on the right course, and I've even gone and ordered an exam guide for a testing certification called the ISTQB.

This concise little introduction to software testing is ideal for those who know little if anything about the topic and are curious to learn more. The author has that rare ability to make technical topics easy to understand. An example is the chapter on fundamental mathematical techniques, a topic I cringed at at first, but left me satisfied that I'd learnt something.

Highly recommended.


4 of 5 found the following review helpful:

5Practical Information in a Condensed Form  Apr 21, 2009
By Teebs
This book gives an excellent overview of important software testing vocabulary and techniques. It is short and to-the-point and would make a nice review guide before a job interview, as well as an introduction to more specialized books on testing. Pros: short, clear, and right to-the-point. Cons: Does not go into deep detail on any one particular topic.

12 of 17 found the following review helpful:

1Geared for a specific company's certification test.  Jul 06, 2009
By Breotan
I purchased this book as part of a certification program offered by Volt Information Sciences, Inc. If you are not a contractor through Volt or that company's certification program is not of interest to you, then this book holds little value.

Consider this actual answer to a review question about Black Box and White Box testing;

"In general, use of the term white box or black box may be somewhat useful on a software testing job description to help a human resources department categorize the extent to which the job position requires project management skills."

Would someone please explain to me what a company's human resource policy has to do with the subject of Black/White Box testing? This is just one example where resume concerns permeate (and in this case predominates) the on-topic content. In other sections, Dr. McCaffery glosses over a variety of topics but offers little insight into any of them. The author approaches the subject of software testing from an academic perspective instead of that of an actual software tester and it shows in the way the topics are covered and in the information provided.

As I stated at the beginning of this review, this book is designed to facilitate a specific certification program offered by a specific company. In that aspect, it does the job well. However, if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of software testing in a way that might actually be meaningful to your career, I suggest a more comprehensive text such as Cem Kaner's Testing Computer Software, 2nd Edition. Although published in 1993, the fundamentals described don't change and that book suits both new and experienced testers far better than Dr. McCaffery's work.

3 of 4 found the following review helpful:

5Great Summary of software testing.  Aug 15, 2009
By Rick A. Morelan "Author of SQL Joes 2 Pros book series"
This book does a great job of arming you with the terms and general direction you will use in the software testing world. I have been a tester for over 7 years now and really wish this book was put in my hands back during my beginnings. Reading this book it helps you to better understand any deep dive study or articles you come across on software testing. This is the best way to get the core concepts under your belt without techno overdosing.

2 of 3 found the following review helpful:

5Practical and No Fluff  May 08, 2009
By Tater
I recently got this book and it's exactly as advertised: short and gets right to the point without adding any fluff. What's nice about this book is that is summarizes a good part (but certainly not all) of software testing in a condensed form. The downside is that there are some topics not covered. For experienced testers, it's a nice refresher with some interesting topics added. For new testers, it's good overview of the field, and makes a nice foundation for more advanced books.

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