Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!ucsd!pacbell.com!lll-winken!cs!shimeall
From: shimeall@cs.nps.navy.mil (Tim Shimeall)
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Books on Software Testing (was Specification Tools and Code Testing)
Message-ID: <1235@cs.nps.navy.mil>
Date: 17 Aug 90 17:30:23 GMT
References: <5456@stpstn.UUCP> <1990Aug12.134735.22528@cbnewsm.att.com> <1990Aug13.140347.9441@nixtdc.uucp> <19578@well.sf.ca.us>
Reply-To: shimeall@cs.nps.navy.mil (Tim Shimeall)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey CA
Lines: 72

Here's what I've looked at recently, in terms of available books on
Testing.  I welcome references to other books not included in the 
below list.  What do others use in training testers or for reference?

Opinions listed below are mine alone, and reflect no policy or bias on
the part of the Computer Science Department, NPS, the Navy, Dept. of
Defense or the US Government.  Differing opions (with rationales) 
welcomed.

The first set are books I use in class, or frequently refer to:

Beizer, Boris, _Software_Testing_Techniques_, Second Edition, Van
Nostrand Reinhold, 1990.
  - Nuts-and-bolts "Here's how to test software" book, not an in-depth
    theory or latest research results book.  The new edition is much
    expanded over the previous one, and updated with current techniques.

Beizer, Boris, _Software_System_Testing_and_Quality_Assurance_, Van
Nostrand Reinhold, 1981.
   - Deals more completely with the issues of multi-level testing of
     software (unit, integration, system).

Miller, Edward and Howden, William E.,
_Tutorial:Software_Testing&Validation_Techniques_, IEEE Press, 1981.
  - A good place to pick up a general understanding of testing work.
    Unfortunately, the book is currently out of print, but you may
    be able to pick it up at a technical library.

Gough, K. John, _Syntax_Analysis_and_Software_Tools_, Addison-Wesley,
1988.
  - A good book covering the mechanics of analyzing program syntax and 
    using that analysis in software tools.  Doesn't deal specifically
    with testing tools, but covers syntax analysis in forms that often
    are used in testing tools.

Other testing books:

Myers, Glenford, J., _The_Art_of_Software_Testing_, Wiley, 1979.
  - A classic, and like many classics is showing its age but is still
    worth rereading occasionally.

Redmill, F. J., _Dependability_of_Critical_Computer_Systems_1_,
North-Holland, 1988.
  - A collection of papers by the members of EWICS TC-7.  Some very`
    useful stuff here, including a fairly up-to-date summary of the
    existing techniques for ensuring the quality of software,
    specifying the applicability, advantages and disadvantages of each
    technique and giving references for further investigation.

Howden, William E., _Functional_Program_Testing&Analysis_,
McGraw-Hill, 198?.
  - A good work on the theoretical basics of program testing,
    particuarly structural testing.

ANSI/IEEE Std. 730-1984, _Software_Quality_Assurance_Plans_
ANSI/IEEE Std. 829-1983, _Software_Test_Documentation_
  - Useful to indicate what should be present in test paperwork, 
    and for comparing your current practice with the standards.

Hetzel, William C., _The_Complete_Guide_To_Software_Testing, Second
Edition, QED Information Sciences, 1988.
  - A Once-Over of the testing process, with emphasis on management
    aspects.  

Dunn, Robert H., _Software_Quality:Concepts_and_Plans_, Prentice-Hall,
1990.
Perry, William E., _A_Structure_Approach_To_Systems_Testing_, Second
Edition, QED Information Sciences, 1988.
Glass, Robert, _Software_Reliability_Guidebook_, Prentice-Hall, 197?.
   - I didn't find these too useful -- IMHO, what they cover is covered 
     in more depth and/or more clearly in other books.  Your opinions
     may vary.