Written by a true authority in the field, Hung Q. Nguyen's Testing Applications on the Web is a nicely comprehensive guide to virtually every conceivable aspect of software testing. It's filled with must-have background information for any test engineer or manager who's testing thin-client systems.

Gray-box testing--a new means to test complex, distributed systems based on server-side components and browser-based clients--is the focus of the book. While, in the past, testers might have ignored certain aspects of stand-alone desktop software, today's Web-based software requires a thorough knowledge of every aspect of multitiered Web applications. To this end, the book surveys the basics of essential computing topics like thin-client computer architectures, networking (including a comprehensive introduction to TCP/IP and related standards), databases, and SQL.

This book also outlines the state of the art in software testing. Notable sections include a short guide to no fewer than 24 distinct types of software tests, how to test browser-based user interfaces effectively, and a thorough guide to Web-performance testing. The general discussion of testing methodology is anchored by a case study on actual test documents and tests for a Web-based software application (a tool for tracking software defects). The text closes with a survey of today's testing tools, and blank templates for creating your own test plans in the field.

With its expert's-eye view of what's involved in software testing, bolstered by real-world examples, Testing Applications on the Web proves itself an extremely worthwhile resource. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: Introduction to Web testing Gray-box testing fundamentals Traditional vs. Web testing History of computing architectures Thick and thin clients Survey of 24 software-testing types, including acceptance tests, load/volume testing, regression, and user-interface testing Networking basics, including TCP/IP fundamentals, DNS, and network architectures Web components for thin-client systems Test partitioning Guide to test planning Templates and sample documents Testing case study User-interface tests for browsers (design and implementation tests) Functional tests, including FASTs (functional acceptance simple tests), TOFTs (task-oriented functional tests), and FETs (forced error tests) Database testing (white-box and black-box techniques) SQL tutorial Testing help systems Installation tests, including uninstall tests and tools Configuration and compatibility testing (testing on multiple browsers) Web security (security attacks and encryption basics) Performance Load and stress testing Survey of testing tools


From Book News, Inc.
This book describes current technologies, testing concepts, and tools related to e-business applications on the Web. It offers guidance on applying existing skills to the testing of business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and internal Web-based applications. The book specifically describes testing transactions across networks, exploring complex systems of errors, and working efficiently with the numerous components involved. It includes specific instructions for various test types, along with case studies and error examples.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Steve Schuster, Director, Quality Engineering, Carrier Applications Group, Phone.Com, Inc.
"Testing Applications on the Web by Hung Q. Nguyen is an absolute must for anyone who has a serious interest in software testing, especially testing web applications. This book covers nearly every aspect of the error-finding process, moving from basic definitions and terminology, through detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of most testing strategies in use today. It finishes with a chapter on Web testing tools and appendices with test documentation templates. This book is written with the practitioner in mind, but can equally well be used by students in software engineering curriculums. It presents both theory and practice in a thorough and clear manner. It illustrates both concepts and practical techniques with numerous realistic examples. This is a very good book on testing Web applications."


Debbie Goble, Software Quality Control Manager, SBC Services, Inc.
"Testing Applications on the Web is a long-overdue and much needed guide to effectively testing web applications. The explosion of e-Commerce businesses in the last couple of years has brought new challenges to software testers. There is a great need for knowledge in this area, but little available. Nguyen's class, Testing Web Applications was the only class I could find of its kind and I was immediately able to put what I learned to use on the job. Nguyen's first book, Testing Computer Software is required reading for my entire test team, and Testing Applications on the Web will now be added to that list. Nguyen provides a combination of in-depth technical information and sound test planning strategies, presented in a way that will benefit testers in real world situations. Testing Applications on the Web is a fabulous reference and I highly recommend it to all software testers."


Christopher Agruss, Quality Engineer Manager, Discreet - a division of Autodesk
"Testing Applications on the Web contains a wealth of practical information. I believe that anyone involved with web testing will find this book invaluable. Hung's writing is crisp and clear, containing plenty of real-world examples to illustrate the key points. The treatment of gray-box testing is particularly insightful, both for general use, and as applied to testing web applications."


Review
"Testing Applications on the Web by Hung Q. Nguyen is an absolute must for anyone who has a serious interest in software testing, especially testing web applications. This book covers nearly every aspect of the error-finding process, moving from basic definitions and terminology, through detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of most testing strategies in use today. It finishes with a chapter on Web testing tools and appendices with test documentation templates. This book is written with the practitioner in mind, but can equally well be used by students in software engineering curriculums. It presents both theory and practice in a thorough and clear manner. It illustrates both concepts and practical techniques with numerous realistic examples. This is a very good book on testing Web applications." —Steve Schuster Director, Quality Engineering Carrier Applications Group Phone.Com, Inc. "Testing Applications on the Web is a long-overdue and much needed guide to effectively testing web applications. The explosion of e-Commerce businesses in the last couple of years has brought new challenges to software testers. There is a great need for knowledge in this area, but little available. Nguyen's class, Testing Web Applications was the only class I could find of its kind and I was immediately able to put what I learned to use on the job. Nguyen's first book, Testing Computer Software is required reading for my entire test team, and Testing Applications on the Web will now be added to that list. Nguyen provides a combination of in-depth technical information and sound test planning strategies, presented in a way that will benefit testers in real world situations. Testing Applications on the Web is a fabulous reference and I highly recommend it to all software testers." —Debbie Goble Software Quality Control Manager SBC Services, Inc. "Testing Applications on the Web contains a wealth of practical information. I believe that anyone involved with web testing will find this book invaluable. Hung's writing is crisp and clear, containing plenty of real-world examples to illustrate the key points. The treatment of gray-box testing is particularly insightful, both for general use, and as applied to testing web applications." —Christopher Agruss Quality Engineering Manager Discreet (a division of Autodesk) Years ago I was looking for a book like this. Internet software must work in all kinds of configurations. How can you test them all? Which do you choose? How should you isolate the problems you find? What do you need to know about the Internet technologies being used? "Testing Applications on the Web" answers all these questions. Many test engineers will find this book to be a godsend. I do! —Bret Pettichord Editor Software Testing Hotlist If you want to learn about testing Web applications, this book is a 'must-have'. A Web application comprises many parts - servers, browsers, and communications - all (hopefully) compatible and interacting correctly to make the right things happen. This book shows you how all these components work, what can go wrong, and what you need to do to test Web applications effectively. There are also plenty of examples and helpful checklists. I know of no other place where you can get a goldmine of information like this, and it's very clearly presented to boot! —Bob Stahl President The Testing Center "I won't test another Web app without first referring to Testing Applications on the Web! The test design ideas are specific and would provide excellent support for any tester or test planner trying to find important problems fast. This is really one of the first testing books to cover the heuristic aspects of testing instead of getting caught up in impractical rigor. It's like climbing into the mind of a grizzled veteran of Web testing. It's nice to see a testing book that addresses a specific problem domain." —James Bach Principal Satisfice, Inc.


Bob Stahl, President, The Testing Center
If you want to learn about testing Web applications, this book is a 'must-have'. A Web application comprises many parts - servers, browsers, and communications - all (hopefully) compatible and interacting correctly to make the right things happen. This book shows you how all these components work, what can go wrong, and what you need to do to test Web applications effectively. There are also plenty of examples and helpful checklists. I know of no other place where you can get a goldmine of information like this, and it's very clearly presented to boot!


James Bach, Principal, Satisfice, Inc.
"I won't test another Web app without first referring to Testing Applications on the Web! The test design ideas are specific and would provide excellent support for any tester or test planner trying to find important problems fast. This is really one of the first testing books to cover the heuristic aspects of testing instead of getting caught up in impractical rigor. It's like climbing into the mind of a grizzled veteran of Web testing. It's nice to see a testing book that addresses a specific problem domain."


Book Description
A software testing survival guide for those who work in Internet time With Internet applications spreading like wildfire, the field of software testing is increasingly challenged by the brave new networked world of e-business. This book brings you up to speed on the technologies, testing concepts, and tools you'll need to run e-business applications on the Web. Written by Hung Nguyen, a coauthor of the bestselling software testing book of all time, Testing Computer Software, this new guide takes you to the next level, helping you apply your existing skills to the testing of B2B (Business-to-Business), B2C (Business-to-Consumer), and internal Web-based applications. You'll learn how to test transactions across networks, explore complex systems for errors, and work efficiently with the many components at play--from servers to browsers to protocols. Most importantly, you'll get detailed instructions on how to carry out specific test types along with case studies and error examples for each test.

Software testers, test leads and test managers, QA analysts and managers, and IT managers and staff will find this an invaluable resource for their testing projects. With an emphasis on achievable goals and necessary rather than nice-to-have features, Testing Applications on the Web provides:
* An analysis of the Web-application model and the difference between Web testing and traditional testing
* A tutorial on the methodology and techniques for networking technologies and component-based testing
* Strategies for test planning, test case designing, and error analysis on the Web
* Effective real-world practices for UI (User Interface) tests, security tests, installation tests, load and stress tests, database tests, and more
* A survey of commercial tools and a sampling of proven test matrices and templates


Download Description
Software engineers have developed sophisticated test methodologies over the years that just don't do the job for Web-based software. Distributed applications have different performance goals from desktop applications and require networking know-how of the tester. This book introduces the essential technologies, testing concepts, and techniques needed to effectively run e-business systems. Readers will learn how to test B2B applications, B2C applications, and internal applications. Nguyen also offers advice about the Web application model, servers, browsers, protocols, and much more. He provides strategies for test planning and bug tracking, as well as effective test techniques for UI tests, security tests, load and stress tests, and database tests. And a survey of commercial tools is provided along with a sampling of proven test matrices and templates.


From the Publisher
"Testing Applications on the Web by Hung Q. Nguyen is an absolute must for anyone who has a serious interest in software testing, especially testing web applications. This book covers nearly every aspect of the error-finding process, moving from basic definitions and terminology, through detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of most testing strategies in use today. It finishes with a chapter on Web testing tools and appendices with test documentation templates. This book is written with the practitioner in mind, but can equally well be used by students in software engineering curriculums. It presents both theory and practice in a thorough and clear manner. It illustrates both concepts and practical techniques with numerous realistic examples. This is a very good book on testing Web applications." —Steve Schuster Director, Quality Engineering Carrier Applications Group Phone.Com, Inc. "Testing Applications on the Web is a long-overdue and much needed guide to effectively testing web applications. The explosion of e-Commerce businesses in the last couple of years has brought new challenges to software testers. There is a great need for knowledge in this area, but little available. Nguyen's class, Testing Web Applications was the only class I could find of its kind and I was immediately able to put what I learned to use on the job. Nguyen's first book, Testing Computer Software is required reading for my entire test team, and Testing Applications on the Web will now be added to that list. Nguyen provides a combination of in-depth technical information and sound test planning strategies, presented in a way that will benefit testers in real world situations. Testing Applications on the Web is a fabulous reference and I highly recommend it to all software testers." —Debbie Goble Software Quality Control Manager SBC Services, Inc. "Testing Applications on the Web contains a wealth of practical information. I believe that anyone involved with web testing will find this book invaluable. Hung's writing is crisp and clear, containing plenty of real-world examples to illustrate the key points. The treatment of gray-box testing is particularly insightful, both for general use, and as applied to testing web applications." —Christopher Agruss Quality Engineering Manager Discreet (a division of Autodesk) Years ago I was looking for a book like this. Internet software must work in all kinds of configurations. How can you test them all? Which do you choose? How should you isolate the problems you find? What do you need to know about the Internet technologies being used? "Testing Applications on the Web" answers all these questions. Many test engineers will find this book to be a godsend. I do! —Bret Pettichord Editor Software Testing Hotlist If you want to learn about testing Web applications, this book is a 'must-have'. A Web application comprises many parts - servers, browsers, and communications - all (hopefully) compatible and interacting correctly to make the right things happen. This book shows you how all these components work, what can go wrong, and what you need to do to test Web applications effectively. There are also plenty of examples and helpful checklists. I know of no other place where you can get a goldmine of information like this, and it's very clearly presented to boot! —Bob Stahl President The Testing Center "I won't test another Web app without first referring to Testing Applications on the Web! The test design ideas are specific and would provide excellent support for any tester or test planner trying to find important problems fast. This is really one of the first testing books to cover the heuristic aspects of testing instead of getting caught up in impractical rigor. It's like climbing into the mind of a grizzled veteran of Web testing. It's nice to see a testing book that addresses a specific problem domain." —James Bach Principal Satisfice, Inc.


From the Back Cover
A software testing survival guide for those who work in Internet time With Internet applications spreading like wildfire, the field of software testing is increasingly challenged by the brave new networked world of e-business. This book brings you up to speed on the technologies, testing concepts, and tools youll need to run e-business applications on the Web. Written by Hung Nguyen, a coauthor of the bestselling software testing book of all time, Testing Computer Software, this new guide takes you to the next level, helping you apply your existing skills to the testing of B2B (Business-to-Business), B2C (Business-to-Consumer), and internal Web-based applications. Youll learn how to test transactions across networks, explore complex systems for errors, and work efficiently with the many components at play––from servers to browsers to protocols. Most importantly, youll get detailed instructions on how to carry out specific test types along with case studies and error examples for each test. Software testers, test leads and test managers, QA analysts and managers, and IT managers and staff will find this an invaluable resource for their testing projects. With an emphasis on achievable goals and necessary rather than nice-to-have features, Testing Applications on the Web provides: An analysis of the Web-application model and the difference between Web testing and traditional testing A tutorial on the methodology and techniques for networking technologies and component-based testing Strategies for test planning, test case designing, and error analysis on the Web Effective real-world practices for UI (User Interface) tests, security tests, installation tests, load and stress tests, database tests, and more A survey of commercial tools and a sampling of proven test matrices and templates


About the Author
HUNG Q. NGUYEN is founder and CEO of LogiGear Corporation, a Silicon Valley company. Through its services, products, and training programs, LogiGear helps software development organizations deliver the highest possible quality products while juggling resources and schedule constraints. Nguyen is a coauthor of the bestselling book Testing Computer Software (Wiley), an ASQ-Certified Quality Engineer, and an active senior member of the American Society for Quality.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From the coauthor of the bestselling Testing Computer Software, testing principles and practices applicable to real-world Web conditions

Software engineers have developed sophisticated test methodologies over the years that just don't do the job for Web-based software. Distributed applications have different performance goals from desktop applications and require networking know-how of the tester. This book introduces the essential technologies, testing concepts, and techniques needed to effectively run e-business systems. Readers will learn how to test B2B applications, B2C applications, and internal applications. Nguyen also offers advice about the Web application model, servers, browsers, protocols, and much more. He provides strategies for test planning and bug tracking, as well as effective test techniques for UI tests, security tests, load and stress tests, and database tests. And a survey of commercial tools is provided along with a sampling of proven test matrices and templates.

FROM THE CRITICS

Booknews

This book describes current technologies, testing concepts, and tools related to e-business applications on the Web. It offers guidance on applying existing skills to the testing of business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and internal Web-based applications. The book specifically describes testing transactions across networks, exploring complex systems of errors, and working efficiently with the numerous components involved. It includes specific instructions for various test types, along with case studies and error examples. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

If you want to learn about testing Web applications, this book is a 'must-have'. A Web application comprises many parts - servers, browsers, and communications - all (hopefully) compatible and interacting correctly to make the right things happen. This book shows you how all these components work, what can go wrong, and what you need to do to test Web applications effectively. There are also plenty of examples and helpful checklists. I know of no other place where you can get a goldmine of information like this, and it's very clearly presented to boot!(Bob Stahl, President, The Testing Center) — Bob Stahl

I won't test another Web app without first referring to Testing Applications on the Web! The test design ideas are specific and would provide excellent support for any tester or test planner trying to find important problems fast. This is really one of the first testing books to cover the heuristic aspects of testing instead of getting caught up in impractical rigor. It's like climbing into the mind of a grizzled veteran of Web testing. It's nice to see a testing book that addresses a specific problem domain.(James Bach, Principal, Satisfice, Inc.) — James Bach

Testing Applications on the Web by Hung Q. Nguyen is an absolute must for anyone who has a serious interest in software testing, especially testing web applications. This book covers nearly every aspect of the error-finding process, moving from basic definitions and terminology, through detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of most testing strategies in use today. It finishes with a chapter on Web testing tools and appendices with test documentation templates. This book is written with the practitioner in mind, but can equally well be used by students in software engineering curriculums. It presents both theory and practice in a thorough and clear manner. It illustrates both concepts and practical techniques with numerous realistic examples. This is a very good book on testing Web applications.(Steve Schuster, Director, Quality Engineering, Carrier Applications Group, Phone.Com, Inc.) — Steve Schuster

Testing Applications on the Web is a long-overdue and much needed guide to effectively testing web applications. The explosion of e-Commerce businesses in the last couple of years has brought new challenges to software testers. There is a great need for knowledge in this area, but little available. Nguyen's class, Testing Web Applications was the only class I could find of its kind and I was immediately able to put what I learned to use on the job. Nguyen's first book, Testing Computer Software is required reading for my entire test team, and Testing Applications on the Web will now be added to that list. Nguyen provides a combination of in-depth technical information and sound test planning strategies, presented in a way that will benefit testers in real world situations. Testing Applications on the Web is a fabulous reference and I highly recommend it to all software testers.(Debbie Goble, Software Quality Control Manager, SBC Services, Inc.) — Debbie Goble

Testing Applications on the Web contains a wealth of practical information. I believe that anyone involved with web testing will find this book invaluable. Hung's writing is crisp and clear, containing plenty of real-world examples to illustrate the key points. The treatment of gray-box testing is particularly insightful, both for general use, and as applied to testing web applications.(Christopher Agruss, Quality Engineering Manager, Discreet (a division of Autodesk)) — Christopher Agruss

Years ago I was looking for a book like this. Internet software must work in all kinds of configurations. How can you test them all? Which do you choose? How should you isolate the problems you find? What do you need to know about the Internet technologies being used? Testing Applications on the Web answers all these questions. Many test engineers will find this book to be a godsend. I do!(Bret Pettichord, Editor, Software Testing Hotlist) — Bret Pettichord

AUTHOR DESCRIPTION