Software Test Automation

Description

Features

• Case studies describe histories and real–life experiences of automated testing
• Hints and practical advice throughout

Backcover Copy

How to structure and build an automated testing regime that will give lasting benefits.

Software testing is vitally important in the software development process, as illustrated by the growing market for automated testing tools. However, many attempts to automate software testing are not successful.

At first glance, it seems easy to automate testing: just buy one of the popular test execution tools, record the manual tests, and play them back whenever you want to. Unfortunately, as those who tried it have discovered, it doesn‘t work like that in practice. Just as there is more to software design than knowing a programming language, there is more to automating testing than knowing a testing tool.

"This first comprehensive treatment of software test automation provides the equivalent of 2 or 3 years of on the job experience."
–– James Bach, Test Design Consultant

"The most authoritative book on this subject – a ‘must read‘ for every software testing professional."
–– Jeffrey M. Voas, Chief Scientist, Reliable Software Technologies

"This book will teach you how to make automated testing tools useful."
–– From the Foreword, by Brian Marick

Features:
A detailed introduction to the principles of automated testing
Advice on choosing and implementing software testing tools
Explanation of why capture replay is not test automation
Practical techniques for designing a good automated testing regime
Detailed methods for increasing automation maturity
Example–based illustration of ideas in practice
Practical solutions to frequently encountered problems in test automation
Case studies of test automation experience in a variety of organizations (including Microsoft)
Advice from test automation experts and practitioners world–wide
Instruction on how to make it easier to add a new automated test than to run it manually

Author Bios

Dorothy Graham and Mark Fewster are the principal consultant partners of Grove Consultants which provides consultancy and training in software testing, test automation, and Inspection. Mark Fewster developed the test automation design techniques which are the primary subject of this book. He has been refining and applying his ideas through consultancy with a wide variety of clients since 1991. Dorothy Graham is the originator and co–author of the CAST Report (Computer Aided Software Testing tools) published by Cambridge Market Intelligence, and the co–author of Software Inspection published by Addison–Wesley in 1993. Both authors are popular and sought–after speakers at international conferences and workshops on software testing.