Better Software Magazine

Better Software Magazine Articles

Small Releases Big Returns

Many teams work on several projects simultaneously, which is a mistake. By working on one project at a time and releasing early and often, you can achieve startling improvements in value for your stakeholders.
James Shore
August 1, 2007
Your Mom Doesn't Work Here: Cleaning up with Java Memory Management

For large-scale Java applications, understanding memory-related options might mean the difference between a wonderful user experience and recurring system slow downs. This article offers insight into the workings of Java memory management and shows how it cleans up after programmers, recovering memory associated with objects that are no longer being used.
Alan Berg
August 1, 2007
Getting Your Hands Dirty

One way to build quality in is to prevent defects from ever happening. Discover how you can avoid defects by figuring out how to test each feature or requirement before you begin to write the code. Clarke Ching offers up an easy, hands-on example you can put to use today.
Clarke Ching's picture Clarke Ching
August 1, 2007
Go with the Flow

Simplicity in testing is a worthy goal, but in reality it's a messy, complex world. Find out how to defocus your test strategy and use flow testing to follow a specific path through a system's functions, investigating circumstances in which it might fail.
Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
August 1, 2007
Enough Is Enough: What Does Agile Software Development Mean?

Agile software delivery is about doing sufficient up-front analysis, design, and planning—and then deferring decisions to the appropriate time. But what does “enough” really mean? And why has the term "agile" become a cliché in development circles? Terms like "post-agile" or "pragmatic agile" have emerged as a response to this, but this is only a short-term fix.
Dan North's picture Dan North
July 2, 2007
Agile Addendums

Six years after the writing of the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, agile is being used more often and more ambitiously. Looking back, there are two things Brian Marick would like to have added to the manifesto: habitability and joy.
Brian Marick
July 2, 2007
Drawing Out the Facts

A properly conducted discovery interview can lead to a wealth of information. Steven Smith explores some effective actions you can take before, during, and after the face-to-face interview to help you master the art of the interview process.
Steven M. Smith's picture Steven M. Smith
July 2, 2007
What's Wrong with Your Testing Strategy?

When the design and the coding are complete, and the product seems ready to ship, it’s hard to understand why testing takes so long. Discover how your source code management system can help you unblock the testing bottleneck.
William W. White
July 2, 2007
Quality-It's All in the Values

We are in the business of providing our customers with products. While we may proclaim our commitment to quality, what really matters is how our users experience our products. So, how do we ensure our organization is a quality organization? Examine our values.
Neil Harrison
July 2, 2007
Test Design with Risk in Mind

Sometimes in testing we find problems that surprise us. And that's where risk-based testing comes in. Build your tests around "What if...?" statements to help you anticipate problems before they arise.
Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
June 26, 2007

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