Quality software testing has always been a labor and skills intensive profession. Even more so now that Graphical User Interface (GUI) programming means that testing must deal with random input rather than pre-determined order input. One putative answer to this quality dilemma has appeared in the guise of Test Automation Tools. As with any new technology, however, the tools alone are not a panacea for the problems plaguing our industry. A methodology must be developed to use the tools efficiently and address ancillary problems created by the tools.
Jamie will start out his presentation with a brief review of the organizational needs which can be answered by the use of Automation Technology in software testing; and why the tools alone are not sufficient in solving those problems. He will relate a short history of his testing automation attempts at ShowCase Corporation, and will review the failures encountered in the unstructured use of these tools. Then, Jamie will give a framework of guidelines by which the automation of testing can be successful and cost effective. He will give concrete examples of problems encountered and solved, and will lay out a paradigm with which to view testing scenarios to decide if automation is a possible solution.
Note: Jamie's examples do not assume any specific tool. Rather he will deal with issues which are common to all automated testing tools.
Jamie Mitchell is a Software Test Engineer who has been with ShowCase Corporation since April of 1994. After many years of repairing and testing electronics, he shifted to the software field. Jamie graduated Summa Cum Laude from Moravian College and earned a Masters of Computer Science from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. After working at the IBM AS/400 lab, designing and building Object Oriented test tools, he moved to his current position with ShowCase Corporation where he is doing system level testing of Client/Server Data Access tools and Automation development. Jamie is an active member of TCQAA's Special Interest Group (SIG) on GUI and Client/Server Testing.
Following our main presentation, you are invited to join the meeting of TCQAA’s special interest group (SIG). They will meet from 4:30 - 5:30 PM in the same room.
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Last Updated: January 20, 1997
URL: http://tcqaa.org/1997/9702-feb.html