Saturday, December 24, 2005

Software Testing FAQ - No. 8

I do not like reading but I do like comics. Recommend me and my mates some good software testing books in comic format (no non-functional stuff, pal).

That question (or more accurately that directive) comes from a Mr D. Bannatyne, who describes himself as “more of a numbers man than a big, fat bucket of waffle”.

Mr D. Bannatyne, you should meet up with frequent questioner Oliver Letwin who is also a man of numbers, so to speak. It seems like only yesterday, when he was testing our knowledge on prime numbers and perfect numbers. Some say that there is an inverse correlation between how numerate and how articulate a person is. I say derrrrrrrrr - go figure.

In dealing with your instruction there is a temptation to go for a cheap shot and point out the comic qualities of seminal software testing book The Art of Software Testing by Glenford Myers. But in reality there are no comic strips in this book. Not one.

If you search lists of software testing books, such as Sticky Fingers, Compendiumdev book reviews or a software testing book list there is no joy there either. Well no joy is not quite right. I enjoyed the review of Automated Software Testing : Introduction, management and performance

"Sometimes testing is made to seem like such a dull, dry, plodding subject. I assume that's because this book is aimed at a dull plodding manager. This book will certainly improve their approach to automation but I don't think it will really help the working environment for their poor testers."

I think that is probably not a book for you Mr B. No cause for despair though. If you approach this from the comic end rather than the test end you will discover a comic strip called Dilbert. It’s about an engineer who is surrounded by people with varying degrees of terrible hair. Not that the eponymous hero has great hair himself. Only the bestial characters, such as a rat called Ratbert, have good hair.

Dilbert’s grasp of software testing techniques and methods is not immediately apparent when you read a few sample comic strips. But Mr B. I recommend you and your mates read every single Dilbert comic strip and you will probably get some insights into software testing. Plus they are funny so you would have less of an excuse for being a miserable, cantankerous, old git. Go on, treat yourself this Christmas and talking of which:

Merry Christmas everybody.