Customer Reviews

The Software Test Engineer's Handbook: A Study Guide for the ISTQB Test Analyst and Technical Analyst Advanced Level Certificates (Rockynook Computing)

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The first edition of this volume has `ISTQB' on the front cover, but apparently is not sanctioned by the International Software Testing Qualification Board. Don't let that put you off, as the volume is closely aligned to the exam syllabus for two of the three advanced level testing qualifications administered by this board. Books tightly aligned to a syllabus can lose readability, but that has not happened here. However, it is fair to say that this is only for testers or those with a serious interest in testing, and being an advanced book, the audience may be a little limited.

There is a wealth of experience combined in the pages, and a rich vein of real-life stories ("war stories"). That is what makes this very readable. The chapters are identified with one of the two authors (apart from chapter 1 - both), so it is clear immediately who the `I' is in a particular chapter. There is also a long-running testing project which works well, with the requirements being clarified as the book progresses - just as happens in real life. With regard to the `Marathon' testing project, I am not too sure what the authors know about marathons. Bear this in mind as you read; an observation, not necessarily a criticism.

The authors' style is chatty and engaging, and both are well aware of the nuances of the syllabus, being members of the international core team that produced it. This volume brings life to the document that covers the advanced level qualification for Test Manager (not covered in this book), Test Analyst and Technical test Analyst (both of which are covered). Syllabus coverage may be patchy in parts (orthogonal arrays, the Classification Tree Method, Risk Based Testing, the defect process and people issues could be covered in more detail). However, there is a small glossary, and details of books / web-sites to obtain more information on these and other topics

This is a good buy, and I would recommend it, not just for a person studying for the examination, but as a sound second-level testing book. It is NOT specialised, but does have good coverage of some of the less well defined areas, especially non-functional testing (performance, usability, security - although the jury is out as to whether `security' is functional or non-functional).

If intending to sit one of the two exams for which it is intended, note that there are no sample exam-style questions, but sample exercises. There are not generally any answers to these - at this level of testing maybe there are no longer any answers, but just opinions. That is hard when contemplating a multiple-choice exam. For those intending to take either exam, buy the book. But do not use it as your sole source of information as you study, and it will probably need more than this book alone for self-study.

Peter Morgan (morganp@supanet.com)

This book aims to help people prepare for the test analyst and technical test analyst exams from the ISTQB. As such it is one of the few that discusses both functional and non-funtional techniques for testing systems. Throughout the book a single case was used to illustrate the theory. This single relatively large case feels more realistic then several artificially small cases. Which I found to be a nice feature (not a defect ;-). Sample questions were also provided at the end of each chapter. So the basic building blocks of a decent study guide were present. The only drawback being that the sample questions didn't resemble the questions posed on the exam.
What I found particularly interesting were the personal experiences of the authors. Memorable anecdotes from the military, aviation and financial industry were scattered throughout the book. This added to making the book an interesting and fun read.

A good book for any one planning to go for Advanced level of ISTQB Functional and Technical Tester levels. The book has very basic examples given which are easy to understand and clears the concepts. Overall, a Thumps Up to the Book!

Using the sample application going through all the steps that a test analyst or technical test would have to go through is a great way fro explaining the steps and emphasising the points to remember and then at the end of each chapter there is a Learning Check to see what you got frm that chapter.