Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter
14
Testing Complex Applications
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
•
to demonstrate a repeatable approach to simplifying the test planning of complex
applications
14.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes an approach to testing complex applications that builds
on the strategies, tactics, and techniques that you used in Chapter 13 for simple
application testing. This approach is basically “divide and conquer.”
Divide
the
complex application into manageable application components that can be
conquered
by familiar testing techniques.
As with most technical approaches, you run the risk of extremes when you do the
dividing. Divided application components can still be too large for manageable test
planning and execution. Divided application components can become too small for
effective test planning and execution. Finding the right division of application compo-
nents is defi nitely a skill sharpened by experience rather than by any rote procedure.
If you have been attracted to reading this chapter, then you probably have been
asked at one time or another to test an application with an architecture that looks
something like Figure 14.1.
The testing task looks daunting because there appear to be so many moving parts.
We will discuss some underlying similarities among the application components that
you can leverage to reduce the testing task from daunting to challenging.
14.2 1-TIER APPLICATIONS
Where do you start your test planning for a complex application ? Start at a familiar starting
point: the testing strategy chessboard. The testing strategy chessboard served us well with
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