Software Testing: Principles and Practices

Chapter 1

Principles of Testing

In this chapter—

• Context of testing in producing software

• About this chapter

• The incomplete car

• Dijkstra's doctrine

• A test in time!

• The cat and the saint

• Test the tests first!

• The pesticide paradox

• The convoy and the rags

• The policemen on the bridge

• The ends of the pendulum

• Men in black

• Automation syndrome

• Putting it all together

1.1 CONTEXT OF TESTING IN PRODUCING SOFTWARE

Almost everything we use today has an element of software in it. In the early days of evolution of software, the users of software formed a small number compared to the total strength of an organization. Today, in a typical workplace (and at home), just about everyone uses a computer and software. Administrative staff use office productivity ...