Chapter 15. Automated Testing and Test Tools

IN THIS CHAPTER

• The Benefits of Automation and Tools

• Test Tools

• Software Test Automation

• Random Testing: Monkeys and Gorillas

• Realities of Using Test Tools and Automation

Testing software is hard work. If you've done some testing on your own while reading this book, you've seen that the physical task of performing the tests can take a great deal of time and effort. Sure, you could spend more time equivalence partitioning your test cases, reducing the number that you run, but then you take on more risk because you're reducing coverage, choosing not to test important features. You need to test more, but you don't have the time. What can you do?

The answer is to do what people have done for years in every other field and industrydevelop and use tools to make the job easier and more efficient. That's what this chapter is all about.

Highlights of this chapter include

• Why test tools and automation are necessary

• Examples of simple test tools you can use

• How using tools migrates to test automation

• How to feed and care for "monkeys"

• Why test tools and automation aren't a panacea