Review of The Software Test Engineer's Handbook: A Study Guide for the ISTQB Test Analyst and Technical Analyst Advanced Level Certificates (Rockynook Computing) (Paperback)

The first edition of this volume has `ISTQB' on the front cover, but apparently is not sanctioned by the International Software Testing Qualification Board. Don't let that put you off, as the volume is closely aligned to the exam syllabus for two of the three advanced level testing qualifications administered by this board. Books tightly aligned to a syllabus can lose readability, but that has not happened here. However, it is fair to say that this is only for testers or those with a serious interest in testing, and being an advanced book, the audience may be a little limited.

There is a wealth of experience combined in the pages, and a rich vein of real-life stories ("war stories"). That is what makes this very readable. The chapters are identified with one of the two authors (apart from chapter 1 - both), so it is clear immediately who the `I' is in a particular chapter. There is also a long-running testing project which works well, with the requirements being clarified as the book progresses - just as happens in real life. With regard to the `Marathon' testing project, I am not too sure what the authors know about marathons. Bear this in mind as you read; an observation, not necessarily a criticism.

The authors' style is chatty and engaging, and both are well aware of the nuances of the syllabus, being members of the international core team that produced it. This volume brings life to the document that covers the advanced level qualification for Test Manager (not covered in this book), Test Analyst and Technical test Analyst (both of which are covered). Syllabus coverage may be patchy in parts (orthogonal arrays, the Classification Tree Method, Risk Based Testing, the defect process and people issues could be covered in more detail). However, there is a small glossary, and details of books / web-sites to obtain more information on these and other topics

This is a good buy, and I would recommend it, not just for a person studying for the examination, but as a sound second-level testing book. It is NOT specialised, but does have good coverage of some of the less well defined areas, especially non-functional testing (performance, usability, security - although the jury is out as to whether `security' is functional or non-functional).

If intending to sit one of the two exams for which it is intended, note that there are no sample exam-style questions, but sample exercises. There are not generally any answers to these - at this level of testing maybe there are no longer any answers, but just opinions. That is hard when contemplating a multiple-choice exam. For those intending to take either exam, buy the book. But do not use it as your sole source of information as you study, and it will probably need more than this book alone for self-study.

Peter Morgan (morganp@supanet.com)


Product Description
There are a lot of books around covering functional testing techniques, but relatively few cover both functional and technical testing. This book will fill that gap. Authors Graham Bath and Judy McKay are core members of the ISTQB Working Party that created the new advanced level syllabus, which will be rolled out worldwide this year.

This book brings both functional and technical aspects of testing into a coherent whole, which will benefit not only test analyst/engineers but also test managers. Based on the "Certified Tester" Advanced-Level syllabus issued by the ISTQB in 2007, the book covers everything you will need to know to successfully sit the examinations for Test Analyst and Technical Test Analyst.

For those planning to take one or both of these exams, the book provides a solid base for preparation and clearly indicates which sections apply to which specific examination.

About the Author
Graham Bath™s experience in testing spans over 25 years and has covered a wide array of domains and technologies. As a test manager, he has been responsible for the testing of mission-critical systems in spaceflight, telecommunications, and police incident-control. Graham has designed tests to the highest levels of rigor within real-time aerospace systems such as the Tornado and Eurofighter military aircraft.

As a principal consultant for the T-Systems Test Factory he has mastered the Quality Improvement Programs of several major companies, primarily in the financial and government sectors. In his current position, Graham is responsible for the company™s training program and for introducing innovative testing solutions to Test Factory™s large staff of testing professionals.

Graham is co-author of the new ISTQB Advanced Level Certified Tester syllabus. He is a long-standing member of the German Testing Board and chairman of their Working Party on the advanced syllabus.

Judy McKay has spent the last 20 years working in the high tech industry with particular focus on software quality assurance.She has managed departments encompassing all aspects of the software lifecycle including requirements design and analysis, software development, database design, software quality assurance, software testing, technical support, professional services, configuration management, technical publications, and software licensing.Her career has spanned across commercial software companies, aerospace, foreign-owned R&D, networking, and various Internet companies.

Judy has been conducting training seminars nationwide for seven years.Her informative courses are based on the real world application of practical data.Her courses cover the spectrum of software quality assurance, including creating and maintaining a world class quality assurance team, designing and implementing quality assurance and effective testing, and creating and implementing useful test documentation and metrics.

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