Better Software Magazine Archive:

Mar/April 2001

IN THIS ISSUE

Analyzing Code Coverage with C-Cover by Bullseye
By Peter Wlodarski

C-Cover by Bullseye Testing Technology is a code coverage analyzer that gathers and displays run time coverage statistics of C and C++ source code. Its capabilities include instrumenting the source code, accumulating the code's run time data, and displaying the data in its browser. This article describes Peter Wlodarski's experience using the program.

Why Testers Should Participate in Early Reviews
By F. Michael Dedolph

Do testers really belong in early reviews? For Michael Dedolph, the answer is yes! For that matter, he thinks more installers should be involved as well. Why? Testers and installers are usually involved in the "end game," so they add value by bringing that very different point of view to the review process.

A Detour Around Dead-end Bugs
By Derek Sisson

Show-stopping failures in Web applications are all too common. One serious but easily avoidable failure is the "dead-end" bug, where a user is left staring at a blank screen without any clue about what went wrong. Derek Sisson describes different types of "dead-end" bugs and shows how to avoid them.

Beyond Belief
By Esther Derby

Technical Editor Esther Derby talks about how unconscious beliefs, filters, and maps influence the way we react to situations and the conclusions we reach.

When Your Manager Is No Techie
By Alyn Wambeke

It's a pretty good bet that at some point in your career you and your work will be managed by someone who doesn't really understand what you do. Here are some ways to close the communication gap when you have a nontechnical manager.

EXtreme Documentation
By Dana De Witt Luther

The kind of collaboration that Extreme Programming engenders can benefit both publications and development. Writing, like programming, is a naturally iterative, revisionary process. Dana De Witt Luther shares what she's learned about documenting an Extreme Programming project, using iterative planning meetings and story cards.

Big Ball of Mud
By Bar Biszick

Much of recent systems theory revolves around applying ideal software development patterns. Big Ball of Mud, in contrast, is for those of us who live and work in the real world, where most systems emerge haphazardly from minimally controlled chaos under constrained development conditions. Bar Biszick recommends and describes the Big Ball of Mud Web site.

A Recipe for Success: Ingredients for Building a Great Software Team
By Bobbie Patnode

Great people, interesting work, and smart referees make for a successful software team. Bobbie Patnode recommends some ways to keep your team engaged, including treating them well, paying them well, and training them well.

Web Load Test Planning
By Alberto Savoia

Predicting how a particular Web site will respond to a specific load is a real challenge. Here are three basic steps necessary to design highly realistic and accurate Web site load tests.

Collaborate for Quality
By Ellen Gottesdiener

Project teams are searching for ways to develop requirements that are as free from defects as possible. Here's how you can use collaborative workshops, along with walkthroughs and QA checklists, to develop high-quality requirements.

Bringing Your Test Data to Life
By Len DiMaggio

Tracking test results is one of the fundamental tasks that your software testing organization must perform to be successful. Explore how a customized database can enhance that process.

Look Before You Test
By Kenneth Lengel

Test coverage is about insuring that test plans and test cases include information vital for successful testing of the program in the areas of functionality, performance, and the overall quality of the software. This article shows how to create a plan of attack to provide strong test coverage, determine the scenarios for the test plan, and manage the changes made to information used by testing.

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