Software Testing

[Vasile R. Montan]

   I am just starting to get into some large scale software testing
for the first time and would like to gather some ideas of what other
people are doing in this area.  I would also appreciate any references
that others have found useful.  Right now I have next to nothing so
anything would be helpful.  I am programming in C on various platforms
running Unix.

1. A large part of what I will be testing is an application interface
   library.  I know there are basic testing techniques for this but
   would like to hear some practical experience.

2. The basic idea of the program is to distribute jobs to different
   servers which can be plugged in dynamically.  This means that the
   configuration of the entire system can change over time.
   Currently, I am ignoring this and assuming a set configuration
   which remains constant.  Ultimately, I would like to also test the
   effect of changing the system.

3. The communication between the job disributor and the servers is
   through RPC.  Are there any special case for testing these
   connections?  Are there ways to introduce RPC errors?

4. The servers can run on different platforms which may cause
   problems.

5. Some of the servers are existing programs, but others are developed
   by us.  I need to test the integration of all of them regardless of
   where they were developed.

6. Some servers are developed using the X window system.  Are there
   any automated testing procedures for graphical user interfaces.

   Again, I would appreciate any suggestions; no matter how minor you
think they are.  If there is enough interest I can post a summary of
the responses I get on comp.software-eng.

-- Vasile

--
**************** The above opinions are mine, all mine. *****************
Vasile R. Montan                          Bell Atlantic Knowledge Systems 
                                          9 South High Street             
vrm at cerc.wvu.wvnet.edu                    Morgantown, WV 26505