Jonathan Lindo describes examples of automated test infrastructure utilizing both open source and traditional, independent-software-vendor-sourced software. In addition, he discusses new techniques for extending the value of automated testing by transforming the process from defect finding to defect resolution by reducing the effort required to document, reproduce, and troubleshoot the defects generated from automated tests.

Predictable software performance is crucial to the success of almost every enterprise system and, in some cases, to the success of the company itself. Before deploying systems into production, management is demanding comprehensive performance testing and reliable test results. This has created significant pressure on development managers and performance test engineers. Alim Sharif guides you through the basic steps for planning, creating, executing, and reporting performance tests. He explains how to actively involve stakeholders-application developers, database administrators, network engineers, IT infrastructure groups, and senior managers-to identify and resolve performance issues. Alim discusses how to maintain the balance between these stakeholder interests during each step and demonstrates how to effectively lead the performance test effort.

Before they could begin automated testing, test teams used to wait on the sidelines for developers to produce a stable user interface. Not anymore. Agile development environments and component-based applications challenge testers to contribute value earlier and continuously throughout development. Although most agile testers currently focus on unit and integration testing, they also need to test the application’s business and service layers-all the way to the system level. Roi Carmel guides you step-by-step through these stages, describing which practice-GUI or non-GUI automated testing-is the right choice and why. The incorrect choice can lead to iteration delays, lower team productivity, and additional problems.

State-of-the-art development technologies and methods have increased our ability to rapidly implement new systems to support continuously changing business needs. These technologies include Web services and services that encapsulate legacy systems, as well as SOA, SaaS, cloud computing, agile practices, and new test sourcing options. Testers are being pushed to create suites of end-to-end tests in which all parts of the system are tested together. Ruud Teunissen explores ways to create end-to-end tests that are integrated, production-like, automated, continuously running, and cover the full application landscape. Ruud presents strategies and tools for developing, executing, and maintaining these tests including issues surrounding the test environment and test data.