Introduction to Software Testing [Hardcover]

Paul Ammann (Author), Jeff Offutt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0521880386 | ISBN-13: 978-0521880381 | Edition: 1

Extensively class tested, this text takes an innovative approach to explaining the process of software testing: it defines testing as the process of applying a few well-defined, general-purpose test criteria to a structure or model of the software. The structure of the text directly reflects the pedagogical approach and incorporates the latest innovations in testing, including techniques to test modern types of software such as OO, web applications, and embedded software.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I think this is a *great* testing book, both from academic and industrial perspectives. I believe Ammann and Offutt's book will become the testing textbook of choice.

There are a lot of testing books out there, some better than others. Most are narrow in the topics they cover and the level of detail they present. In stark contrast, Ammann and Offutt's book has the advantage of presenting concepts and techniques that cover the broad range of languages and platforms used in practice by industry and academia. Theirs is one of the most thorough and practical testing books ever published. Roger Alexander, Associate Professor, Washington State University

The book (is) well written, logically organized, and provides excellent examples as well as useful course materials (such as homework assignments and quizzes). The book greatly facilitates the teaching and learning process. I plan to offer the course again and use the Ammann and Offutt text... The students also complimented the book in their student evaluations (a very rare occurrence).

The book provides an excellent high level as well as detailed presentation of topics that are often difficult for students to master, such as: control flow graph coverage, data flow graph coverage (including all-defs, all-uses, all-du-paths criteria), graph coverage for use cases, logic coverage (predicate coverage, clause coverage), syntax-based testing, etc. In particular, the logic coverage Chapter took very complex concepts and made them understandable for the students. Also, the examples that appear in the book are very useful and are highly representative of what our students run into after they graduate and land jobs as developers and/or testers. Jane Hayes, Associate Professor, University of Kentucky

I read it, used the material in it, and found it very useful, insightful, and precise. Now that it is a "real" book, I hope to use it as a textbook in the future. Lionel Briand, Simula Research Laboratory, Oslo, Norway

This is a great book for learning software testing. The clear terminology definitions and comprehensive examples provide an easy way to master the software testing techniques. After reading this book I get the image: instead of experimental techniques, which you can only get through experience, the term software testing means a set of general scientific methods and criteria that can be applied to individual cases. I think, for people who work in or prepare to enter the software testing field, this book is definitely what you need in your hand. Ling Liu, Research Professor, ETH Zurich (Text was used at Shanghai University, Shanghai China)

"....Where has this book been all these years? Your book reminds me why I wanted to study software testing in graduate school: testing touches on all the interesting theoretical/engineering models/representations for software." Arthur Reyes, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Arlington

These two leading researchers provide an excellent exposition of the recent advancement of software testing in a manner that is suitable for classroom use. Theoretical concepts are covered rigorously and in practical contexts allowing students to build a solid foundation while being well-connected to the real applications. The abundant examples and exercises make both teaching and learning a more tangible task. In addition to classroom use, the balanced coverage of theory and application also makes the book a valuable addition to the practitioners' bookshelf. Jeff Lei, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington

This software testing textbook creatively uses only four models to capture current software testing techniques helping students, researchers, and practitioners to deeply grasp these techniques from an abstract, systematic perspective. The textbook provides excellent balance between theory and practice! Tao Xie, Assistant Professor, North Carolina State University

"The authors logically break down the discussion into four key coverage criteria: graph-based, logic=based, syntax-based, and partition-based testing. They provide a solid theoretical presentation of software testing and test coverage criteria... A concise but brief introduction to software testing."
R.S. Stansbury, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for CHOICE

Book Description

This text takes an innovative approach to software testing: it defines testing as the process of applying a few, well-defined, general-purpose test criteria to a structure or model of the software. The structure of the text directly reflects the pedagogical approach and incorporates the latest innovations in testing.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 344 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (January 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521880386
• ISBN-13: 978-0521880381
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.9 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #813,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book September 17, 2008

By WP

Format:Hardcover

This is a very good book. It gives good no-nonsense but nicely readable technical grounding to software testing. Highly recommended as textbook for courses in testing.

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners May 30, 2009

By Dmitry N.

Format:Hardcover

If you want to get started in software testing, this is the book to read. Perfect for beginners and new to the field of software testing - an excellent software testing primer!

8 of 21 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing on unit tests? In 2008? June 21, 2008

By Brendan C. Lefebvre

Format:Hardcover

Unit tests are all the rage. Maybe they are being touted out of proportion to their place in the hierarchy of testing methods, maybe not. I don't know enough to say either way, and was hoping this book would clarify that question. Instead I found that "unit test" was not even in the index. So, if I understand the current gestalt correctly, a neophyte depending on this book alone will come away unable to converse with the developers in many real-world shops. This is a tragic example of academic insularity blunting the authors' effectiveness in preparing their charges for the world beyond the classroom.