Better Software Magazine Archive:

February 2007

IN THIS ISSUE

A Box of a Different Color
By Matthew Heusser

Are there elements of glass box testing and black box testing that overlap and can be helpful to either type of tester? One developer looks at the gray area between black box testers and glass box testers and comes up with some surprising results.

Up the Organization, Redux
By Lee Copeland

Certain management principles are enduring and able to cross the boundaries of industry In this month's Technically Speaking, Lee Copeland takes a look at the software development applications of his favorite management book.

Big, Complex, and Tested? Just Say "When": Software Development Using Presenter First
By David Crosby

Looking to bridge the gap between code and customers? David Crosby and Carl Erickson elaborate on the benefits of an approach called Presenter First, a simple technique that can be repeated as many times as needed to get the job done.

The Power of Three: A Trio of Techniques for Testing Databases
By Chris McMahon

Unit tests are meant to demonstrate something only to the developers of the software. Make the best use of testing with databases by taking advantage of these helpful techniques, which demonstrate something to a wider range of interested parties.

The Case of the Missing Fingerprint: Solve the Mystery of Successful End-of-Project Retrospectives
By Jennitta Andrea

Through this tale of a planning spreadsheet and its effect on three different projects, learn the impact a single decision can have on a project--and pick up some helpful tools like fingerprint graphs and project timelines along the way.

One Step Back ... Two Steps Forward
By Michael Bolton

A change to code that previously was working may introduce new failures. Testing for regression can catch these failures, find new problems, and identify opportunities to improve your test design.

A Few Good Bugs
By Patrick Bailey

When a factory comes to a screeching halt and the collected team managers start pointing fingers at team members and ducking blame, one manager sets a valuable example by offering up a name--his own.

Principle-driven Development
By Chuck Allison

Challenges are inevitable in software development, and formal methodologies may obscure the simpler, basic rules that govern quality. When faced with an overwhelmingly complex challenge, look to proven principles.

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