Dorothy Graham - Experiences of Test Automation: Case Studies of Software Test Automation

What you hold in your hands is a treasure trove of hard-won knowledge about what works and what doesnt in test automation. It can save you untold hours and costs by steering you away from paths that lead nowhere and guiding you towards those that lead to success.

Linda Hayes

From tools to methodology, Dorothy Graham and Mark Fewster weave a compelling set of stories that provide a learning experience in automation. This comprehensive tome is the first of its kind to take the reader deep into the world of automated testing, as depicted by case studies that show the realities of what happened across a multitude of projects spanning a wide variety of industries and technology environments. By identifying similarities and repeated themes, the authors help the reader focus on the essential learning lessons and pitfalls to avoid. Read this book cover to cover for inspiration and a realization of what it takes to ultimately succeed in test automation.

Andrew L. Pollner, President & CEO of ALP International Corporation

Many years after their best-seller Software Test Automation, Mark Fewster and Dorothy Graham have done it again. Agile methodologies have given test automation a dominant presence in todays testing practices. This is an excellent, highly practical book with many well-documented case studies from a wide range of perspectives. Highly recommended to all those involved, or thinking about getting involved, in test automation.

Erik van Veenendaal, Founder of Improve Quality Services and vice-chair of TMMi Foundation

This book is like having a testing conference in your hand, with a wealth of case studies and insights. Except that this book is much cheaper than a conference, and you dont have to travel for it. What impressed me in particular was that it is all tied together in a concise chapter zero that efficiently addresses the various aspects I can think of for automation success. And that is something you will not get in a conference.

Hans Buwalda

An exciting, well-written, and wide-ranging collection of case studies with valuable real-world experiences, tips, lessons learned, and points to remember from real automation projects. This is a very useful book for anyone who needs the evidence to show managers and colleagues what worksand what does not workon the automation journey.

Isabel Evans, FBCS CITP, Quality Manager, Dolphin Computer Access

Experiences of Test Automation first describes the essence of effective automated testing. It proceeds to provide many lifetimes worth of experience in this field, from a wide variety of situations. It will help you use automated testing for the right reasons, in a way that suits your organization and project, while avoiding the various pitfalls. It is of great value to anyone involved in testingmanagement, testers, and automators alike.

Martin Gijsen, Independent Test Automation Architect

This offering by Fewster and Graham is a highly significant bridge between test automation theory and reality. Test automation framework design and implementation is an inexact science begging for a reusable set of standards that can only be derived from a growing body of precedence; this book helps to establish such precedence. Much like predecessor court cases are cited to support subsequent legal decisions in a judicial system, the diverse case studies in this book may be used for making contemporary decisions regarding engagement in, support of, and educating others on software test automation framework design and implementation.

Dion Johnson, Software Test Consultant and Principle Adviser to the Automated Testing Institute (ATI)

Even with my long-established test automation wont work stance, this book did make me pause and ponder. It opened my mind and gave me a few oh, I hadnt thought of that moments. I would recommend this book as an initial reference for any organization wanting to introduce test automation.

Audrey Leng

This book is a stunning achievement. I believe that it is one of the best books ever written in test automation. Dot and Marks approach presenting 28 case studies is a totally new concept including eye-catching tips, good points, and lessons learned. The case studies are coming from life experiences, successes and failures, including several aspects of automation, different environments, and a mixture of solutions. Books are the source of wisdom, and what a good idea for using storytelling to increase our learning through triggering our memories. This book is a must for everyone who is thinking of or involved in test automation at all levels. It is truly unique in its kind.

Mieke Gevers

Case Studies of Software Test Automation

Dorothy Graham
Mark Fewster

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Graham, Dorothy, 1944
Experiences of test automation : case studies of software test automation / Dorothy Graham, Mark Fewster.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-321-75406-6 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Computer softwareTestingAutomationCase studies. I. Fewster, Mark, 1959- II. Title.
QA76.76.T48G73 2011
005.30287dc23
2011040994

Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. This publication is protected by copyright, and permission must be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. To obtain permission to use material from this work, please submit a written request to Pearson Education, Inc., Permissions Department, One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458, or you may fax your request to (201) 236-3290.

ISBN-13: 978-0-321-75406-6
ISBN-10: 0-321-75406-9
Text printed in the United States on recycled paper at RR Donnelley in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
First printing, January 2012

To my husband, Roger, for your love and support, your good ideas, and for making the tea! And to Sarah and James, our wonderful children.