You can't just buy an automated testing tool and expect to improve your organization's testing process without some real effort, at least that is what the authors of Software Test Automation argue. Written for any test manager or engineer, this practical-minded guide shows the right way to automate testing to bring down costs and improve overall software quality.
Most importantly, this book debunks the myth that testing tools alone will automate the testing process successfully. It does a good job of showing the limitations of today's testing tools. Instead of providing quick fixes, the authors show that with proper planning, you can design and reuse test scripts in addition to automating many aspects of the testing process (such as comparing actual and expected results). With chapters on designing test scripts, creating a testing architecture that will allow you to reuse test cases, and even documentation on choosing the right testing tool for your needs, this book is filled with plenty of nuts-and-bolts advice.
Later the authors explain software metrics for tracking defects and how to phase in automated testing for the real-world organization (with a good eye for your shop's return on investment). The book closes with over a dozen case studies from the field, in which testing professionals from large companies (including Microsoft) relate their successes (and failures) with real-world test automation. Accessibly written and filled with real-world expertise, Software Test Automation provides a worthy resource for any test engineer on the effective implementation of automated software testing. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered: test automation basics, the V-model for testing, testing tool limitations, scripts, automating result verification and comparison, filters, testing architecture, pre- and post-processing, improving test maintainability, testing metrics, ROI, choosing a test tool, implementing automated testing within organizations, case studies.
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
