Product Description: Computer science is a blend of engineering and mathematics. Being com­ paratively new, the field has not settled down to a definite mixture of science and engineering, but still contains large parts of both technology and art. Many computer scientists are trying to make computer science into a branch of mathematics, or to at least closely resemble mathematics...read more

From a leading expositor of testing methods, a practical, comprehensive, hands-on guide to the state-of-the-art black-box testing techniques This book fills a long-standing need in the software and general systems development communities to make the essential aspects of black-box testing available in one comprehensive work. Written by one of the world's most respected figures in the field of testing, it is both a valuable working resource for independent testers and programmers and an excellent practical introduction for students. Dr. Boris Beizer clearly explains the principles behind behavioral testing in general and behind the most important black-box testing techniques in use today, which involve testing a system based on its desired behavior or function and for conformance to its specifications. Then, with fully worked examples, he leads you step-by-step from specifications to finished test cases. Complete coverage of all important test techniquesæincluding those that apply to object-oriented software * Up-to-dateæincluding the most recent breakthroughs in domain testing that now make this technique available to the working tester with no tools needed beyond a calculator or spreadsheet * Examples based on the popular off-the-shelf tax preparation packages let you try the techniques on your favorite tax software * Includes all necessary IRS tax forms * Self-evaluation quizzes help you evaluate your understanding of the material (view table of contents)

Offers irreverent advice on bad software discussing why so much of it is bad and how to recognize poor quality, how to avoid bugs and the damage they can do, what to look for in instruction manuals, and how and where to complain

Demonstrates techniques for testing the security, recovery ability, configuration, and performance of system software