Software Testing: Fundamental Principles and Essential Knowledge [Paperback]

James D. McCaffrey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 9, 2009

This book presents concise descriptions and explanations of the software testing topics which were identified by senior software test managers in surveys as being essential knowledge for all levels of software test engineers, software developers, and software program managers. Topics covered include: test case construction, measures of test suite effectiveness, basic combinatorics, crypto-hashing, fundamental project management techniques for testing, essential knowledge such as HTTP state management, module and unit testing, and kernel debugging.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. James McCaffrey works for Volt Information Sciences, Inc., where he oversees technical training for software engineers working for Microsoft in Redmond, WA. He has worked as a lead engineer on several key Microsoft products including Internet Explorer and MSN Search. James is a Contributing Editor for Microsoft's MSDN Magazine. McCaffrey holds a doctorate from the University of Southern California, a M.S. in information systems from Hawaii Pacific University, a B.A. in psychology from the University of California at Irvine, and a B.A. in mathematics from California State University at Fullerton.

Product Details

• Paperback: 118 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (April 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439229074
• ISBN-13: 978-1439229071
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #391,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're thinking of becoming a tester then this is for you, February 25, 2011

By 

Lawrence Esprit - See all my reviews

This review is from: Software Testing: Fundamental Principles and Essential Knowledge (Paperback)

I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer who said this book's geared towards a particular product. On the contrary, it touches on a large number of principles relevant to software testing in a very general sense. As for his second quip regarding human resources and black-box white-box testing, let me explain what the author meant: white box or black box are indeed useful to put on a job description, as a thorough test effort is likely to require skills in both of these (white box=someone who has access to and therefore an understanding of the code).

Now, about the book: what the author has achieved here is vital. I walked into the library (in Wellington, New Zealand) the other day and this book's catchy cover jumped out at me. Thank God this was the first book I found and not some heavy tome filled with jargon or I might have been put off the topic instead of reeled right in!

Dr McCaffrey does an amazing job at breaking down the various topics relevant to testers, explaining each one in a few comprehensive paragraphs. The upshot is that I now have a good idea of what software testing is all about, and feel motivated to learn more. It has set me on the right course, and I've even gone and ordered an exam guide for a testing certification called the ISTQB.

This concise little introduction to software testing is ideal for those who know little if anything about the topic and are curious to learn more. The author has that rare ability to make technical topics easy to understand. An example is the chapter on fundamental mathematical techniques, a topic I cringed at at first, but left me satisfied that I'd learnt something.

Highly recommended.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Information in a Condensed Form, April 21, 2009

By 

Teebs (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Software Testing: Fundamental Principles and Essential Knowledge (Paperback)

This book gives an excellent overview of important software testing vocabulary and techniques. It is short and to-the-point and would make a nice review guide before a job interview, as well as an introduction to more specialized books on testing. Pros: short, clear, and right to-the-point. Cons: Does not go into deep detail on any one particular topic.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Geared for a specific company's certification test., July 6, 2009

By 

Breotan (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Software Testing: Fundamental Principles and Essential Knowledge (Paperback)

I purchased this book as part of a certification program offered by Volt Information Sciences, Inc. If you are not a contractor through Volt or that company's certification program is not of interest to you, then this book holds little value.

Consider this actual answer to a review question about Black Box and White Box testing;

"In general, use of the term white box or black box may be somewhat useful on a software testing job description to help a human resources department categorize the extent to which the job position requires project management skills."

Would someone please explain to me what a company's human resource policy has to do with the subject of Black/White Box testing? This is just one example where resume concerns permeate (and in this case predominates) the on-topic content. In other sections, Dr. McCaffery glosses over a variety of topics but offers little insight into any of them. The author approaches the subject of software testing from an academic perspective instead of that of an actual software tester and it shows in the way the topics are covered and in the information provided.

As I stated at the beginning of this review, this book is designed to facilitate a specific certification program offered by a specific company. In that aspect, it does the job well. However, if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of software testing in a way that might actually be meaningful to your career, I suggest a more comprehensive text such as Cem Kaner's Testing Computer Software, 2nd Edition. Although published in 1993, the fundamentals described don't change and that book suits both new and experienced testers far better than Dr. McCaffery's work.