Better Software Magazine

Better Software Magazine Articles

Testing for Exceptions

The basic problem with exception handling is that it is difficult! Exception handling in modern languages makes it easy to drastically change the contents of memory. The next instruction executed may be very distant from the site of the exception, and required cleanup might not be done. In C++ the problem can be particularly acute, with lost memory not reclaimed correctly. For these reasons, it's critical for good testing of exception handling that we test all representative sequences of normal and exceptional calls.
Keith Stobie
June 26, 2002
Twenty Years Ago

In comparing himself today to his younger self, Steve Smith says, "I've changed. The work that interests me wouldn't interest Young Steve. Although Young Steve would outdo me technically, I could compete in that arena: Young Steve couldn't compete with me in my new mission."
Steven M. Smith's picture Steven M. Smith
June 26, 2002
Scripted Validation

David Bennett discusses how scripted validation helped revolutionize his organization's software development efforts. This article contains a sample script.
David M. Bennett
June 26, 2002
Bugs Beneath the Surface

Brian Marick uses two bugs to illustrate a small, but valuable, test design tip: Try the next thing that a user would try.
Brian Marick
June 26, 2002
A Look at Bug Tracking Using Bugzilla

Robert Sievers manages QA on the development of Abi-Word, a cross-platform free-use open source word processor. When it came time to pick a bug tracking system, he looked into Bugzilla, the open source bug tracking system created by mozilla.org, and found that the open source development model worked just as well for QA tools as it does for utilities and applications.
Robert Sievers
June 26, 2002
Re-creating Me

Change is the watchword of life in the software world--perhaps no field has grown and transformed itself as quickly as our industry. To survive and succeed in this business we must truly be masters of change; those who have been the most successful are the ones who have been able to use change as a tool and catalyst. Maureen O'Hara describes how change can be an agent for growth.
Maureen A. O’Hara
June 26, 2002
The Two Faces of Quality

Lina Watson questions the conflicting views of quality assurance and describes the distortions that can occur between software process realities and their perceived image in the corporate world.
Lina Watson
June 26, 2002
A Test Manager's Resource Bank

Despite the importance of general management topics, I'm going to stay away from them. There's too much out there, and I know too little about it. Instead, I'll concentrate on what's special about the job of managing testers and the test process.

 
Brian Marick
June 26, 2002
Perspectives from a New Software Tester

Pam Hardy's goal in this article is to relay her experience as a new tester, in the hope that some of her perspectives will help other new testers navigate the waters of their new vocation.
Pam Hardy
June 26, 2002
What Are You Worth?

Jerry Evans reports on Software Testing and QA compensation issues. He also provides a list of some of the best job sites on the Web for testers.
Jerry W. Evans, CSTE's picture Jerry W. Evans, CSTE
June 26, 2002

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