Amazon.com: A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design (9781580537919): Lee Copeland: Books
A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more

Buy New

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Buy Used
Used - Good See details
$45.63 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
Sell Back Your Copy
For a $24.50 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design
 
 
Start reading A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design [Hardcover]

Lee Copeland (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

List Price: $69.00
Price: $53.49 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $15.51 (22%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Only 16 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Want it delivered Monday, February 27? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Textbook Student FREE Two-Day Shipping for students on millions of items. Learn more

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $48.14  
Hardcover $53.49  
Paperback --  
Sell Back Your Copy for $24.50
Whether you buy it used on Amazon for $45.48 or somewhere else, you can sell it back through our Book Trade-In Program at the current price of $24.50.
Used Price$45.48
Trade-in Price$24.50
Price after
Trade-in
$20.98

Book Description

January 2004 158053791X 978-1580537919
A comprehensive, up-to-date and practical introduction to software test design. This book presents all the important test design techniques in a single place and in a consistent and easy-to-digest format. An immediately useful handbook for test engineers, developers, quality assurance professionals and requirements and systems analysts, it enables you to: choose the best test case design; find software defects in less time and with fewer resources; and develop optimal strategies that help reduce the likelihood of costly errors. It also assists you in estimating the effort, time and cost of good testing. Numerous case studies and examples of software testing techniques are included, helping you to fully understand the practical applications of these techniques. From well-established techniques such as equivalence classes, boundary value analysis, decision tables and state-transition diagrams, to new techniques like use case testing, pairwise testing and exploratory testing, the book is a usful resource for testing professionals seeking to improve their skills and a handy reference for college-level courses in software test design.

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with Lessons Learned in Software Testing $21.00

A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design + Lessons Learned in Software Testing
  • This item: A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

  • Lessons Learned in Software Testing

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details



Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lee Copeland is a consultant in the areas of testing methodologies, test management and web site testing at Software Quality Engineering. He has more than twenty-five years experience as an information systems professional specializing in software development and process improvement.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 300 pages
  • Publisher: Artech House (January 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 158053791X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1580537919
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Page turner tech book? You bet!, June 15, 2004
This review is from: A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design (Hardcover)
The top two software testing books that I recommend are Systematic Software Testing (ISBN 1580535089), and this gem. Whereas the first book gives a complete process and accompanying practices, this one focuses on a collection of highly effective techniques that every test professional should have in his or her toolbox.

Copeland starts off with an overview of testing as a process, followed by case studies. These lay the foundation for the techniques for which a chapter is devoted to each technique. The chapters on the techniques are divided into collections of techniques that are most effective for blackbox (seven) and whitebox (two) testing. The next chapters are devoted to scripted testing with an emphasis on IEEE 829, exploratory testing, and test planning. The book wraps up with an outstanding chapter on software defect taxonomies, advice on when to stop testing, and case studies.

So why did I state this book is a page turner? Copeland has masterfully used humor, statements that catch you off guard, and a warm conversational style to hold your attention. Among the priceless gems of humor are the off-the-wall quotes that he uses in front of each chapter. One of many examples of how he holds your attention by catching you off guard is in Chapter 6 on pairwise testing: 'Why does pairwise testing work so well? I don't know', which he then follows up with one of the most cogent explanations of the technique I've had the pleasure of reading. As an aside, his treatment of pairwise testing - and the power of that technique - is reason enough to read this book.

Another aspect of this book I like is the thoroughness with which he presents techniques. This includes citing the work of other well known practitioners, using case studies, summaries, practice scenarios, and additional references for each chapter. Copeland also has a talent for clearly articulating and conveying complex topics and concepts, adding to this book's value as both courseware and a working reference.

If you are a software testing professional, or you are responsible for teaching this discipline this is one of the top books in my opinion. It is not as wide in scope as Software Testing: A Craftsman's Approach (ISBN: 0849308097), but it makes up for that by covering the essentials in the clearest possible manner.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Critically Important Read for Software Test Engineers, July 24, 2004
By 
R. Drabick (Columbia, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design (Hardcover)
Lee Copeland's book, "A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design" provides an easily read introduction into a critical but often ignored subject. As those familiar with the IEEE Standard for Software Test Documentation (IEEE-Std-829) know, Test Design is the first step in turning the "What" of the Test Plan into the "How" of test execution. The IEEE Test Documentation lifecycle is Test Plan - Test Design - Test Case Development - Test Procedure Development - (Test Execution) - Test Summary Report creation. Many test engineers proceed directly from Test Planning into Test Procedure creation, and do Test Design implicitly as opposed to explicitly. This can have a negative impact on an effective test program. This book clearly shows how to implement the test design process described in Drabick's book "Best Practices for the Formal Software Testing Process".

Lee's book provides a concise description based on excellent Case Studies of Black-Box (Requirements Focused) test techniques, moving from the simple (Equivalence Class and Boundary Value testing) to the more complex (Domain Analysis and Use Case testing). He provides the best description I've seen of test case development using orthogonal arrays. Lee then addresses White-Box (Structural Focused) testing, showing how to approach Control Flow and Data Flow testing. Again, he has the best description with illustrative examples of Data Flow testing that I've ever seen.

Lee then describes two Test Paradigms: Scripted Testing and Exploratory Testing that appear to be significantly different, and shows how the two can be used together for even more effective testing. That's the way I've always done testing, by the way.

His Defect Taxonomies chapter provides valuable insight on how to use such information in test design (I never thought of that), and he concludes with a short chapter that addresses the critical question When to Stop Testing.

The Case Studies on "Brown & Donaldson" and "Stateless University Registration" are effectively used to provide valuable insight into the techniques.

This book would be a good read in combination with the book from Rick Craig and Stefan Jaskiel, "Systematic Software Testing".

In summary, this book is well done, is an easy read, and should be read by every test engineer.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Demystifying Even the Hardest Test Design Techniques, March 13, 2004
By 
Rex Black (Bulverde, TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: A Practitioner's Guide to Software Test Design (Hardcover)
I agree with everything that Johanna wrote in her review, but I'd like to add one more point.

Orthogonal arrays and domain testing are two very challenging topics. They are also essential test design techniques.

As important as these topics are, few books or articles present the concepts in an understandable way. Up until now, the tester had to struggle through some arcane, mystifying ideas before coming to the essence: How to use them for testing.

Lee's presentation skips the arcane and the mystical. He takes you straight to the core of the idea. After a few short pages, you will understand both of these concepts, even if you've read other authors' presentations and come away confused. More importantly, you'll understand how to use these techniques to design effective and efficient tests.

Bravo, Lee, and thank you for demystifying these concepts for the rest of us.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews










Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
What is testing? Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
scripted testing, max dwellings, defect taxonomies, defect taxonomy, control flow testing, test incident report, exploratory testing, boundary value testing, test design techniques, pairwise testing, main success scenario, data flow testing, test design specification, test case specification, test case design, additional test cases, statement coverage, white box testing, transaction testing, complex business rules, decision coverage, examine columns, basis paths, orthogonal array, black box testing
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
None Win, Apache Win, Key Point, Real Player, John Wiley, Media Player, Stateless University Registration System, Software Engineering, Can-Gust Can-Gust, References Beizer, Software Testing Techniques, Used Used, Van Nostrand Reinhold, Apache Linux, Boris Beizer, Ils Win, James Bach, Second Edition, Testing Computer Software, Testing Object-Oriented Systems, Made Made, Paid Paid, Ticketed Ticketed, United States, Lessons Learned
New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:




What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums



So You'd Like to...



Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject