Better Software Magazine Articles

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
When in Doubt, Reframe

One often overlooked testing skill is understanding what our clients are saying--in addition to the words that actually come out of their mouths. Sometimes reframing a seemingly irrational response can lead to a higher level of communication and a more productive relationship.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
The Power of Three: A Trio of Techniques for Testing Databases

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.

Chris McMahon's picture Chris McMahon
One Step Back ... Two Steps Forward

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.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
More Stress, Less Distress

An overwhelmingly harsh test will expose dramatic vulnerabilities, but stress testing requires sensitivity to the unexpected. In this article, Michael Bolton directs readers out of the automated-testing comfort zone and toward better methods of spotting unanticipated problems.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
Master of Your Domain

Function testing is easy, according to Michael Bolton, and domain testing is only a little harder--but there are catches. In this column, he offers some tips to help you keep the risks of domain testing under control.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
Test Patterns: Nine Techniques to Help Test for a Greater Variety of Bugs.

Building on his earlier columns covering James Bach's Heuristic Test Strategy Model, Michael Bolton delivers nine techniques--each of which affords a different way of modeling the product--to help you test your systems for a greater variety of bugs.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
Support for Testing, Testing for Support

Where supportability and testability fit in the Quality Criteria dimension of the Heuristic Test Strategy Model.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
More Than One Answer; More Than One Question

Connect with an expert to learn how to work smarter and discover new ways to uncover more defects. In this issue, Michael Bolton continues his discussion of James Bach's Heuristic Test Strategy Model by focusing on the importance of customer-facing quality criteria.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
Elemental Models

Connect with an expert to learn how to work smarter and discover new ways to uncover more defects. In this issue, Michael Bolton continues his discussion of James Bach's Heuristic Test Strategy Model by introducing the Product Elements perspective on test coverage.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton

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