posted 11-06-2001 04:46 AM         

I finally got my hands on a copy of this book (thanks you-know-who ), and I have to say it is definitely worth the price! It's not just about automation, although there's a good deal of that. I'm just glad I didn't have to wait until next year to get a copy - since I blew my book budget (a whopping $250/year) by March!

A few of the sections I found particularly useful were: the the interview questions in Chapter 5, Chapter 10 (and I mean all of it!) - Test Program Review and Assessment which includes an automated tool feedback survey, and the Test Program Status Tracking section.

Does anyone else have a recommendation for my automation libarary?

posted 11-06-2001 07:58 AM         

My current client uses a variety of tools including LoadRunner for the performance testing. Since I tend to travel from client to client, I'm not really ready to spend my hard-earned money on books related to their specific tools. I am more looking for books that provide the general information, such as the book mentioned above.

Having said that - I certainly encourage my *clients* to spend their money on resources!

So what book do you tend to reference most often?

quote:

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Originally posted by jgottlieb:
Mel, which tool are you guys using (have you decided?)? You might want to get some tool specific books...

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posted 11-06-2001 10:16 AM         

There's a web testing one that I'm planning on previewing in the near future. It's been reccommended on here a few times... The name escapes me right now, though...

posted 11-06-2001 10:19 AM         

My name appears in page 301 It's smaller than the 1st one, but the content is of great value! The Chapters on Performance Testing are great (I had some influence there). And the Security Chapter is also GREAT!

posted 11-06-2001 11:08 AM         

quote:

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... And the Security Chapter is also GREAT!

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Are you talking about firewall stuff? I could use a good source for testing an app via the firewall.

posted 11-06-2001 11:52 AM         

quote:

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Originally posted by MelR:
Hey AJ - when you say:

Are you talking about firewall stuff? I could use a good source for testing an app via the firewall.

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Hi Mel,
The book "Quality Web Systems" covers network testing issues (including firewalls) in the security and performance chapters.
HTH,
Elfriede

posted 11-07-2001 06:26 AM         

This is hands down the best book I have ever seen on performace, scalabilty, and capacity planning for web software. I've read many books on the subject and none come close to this one in its depth. It is very technical and more along the lines of textbook than a casual read or even a reference.

This isn't necesarrily about software testing or QA, but if you truly want to understand web architecture and where potential performance bottlenecks may be, get this!

-Corey

posted 11-07-2001 06:40 AM         

Do you have a technical background? Does the book assume some nominal level of experience with the architecture? Or do you think someone with little exposure could get the same value?

quote:

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Corey thinks:
"Capacity Planning for Web Services. Metrics, Models, and Methods" by Daniel Mensace and Virgilio Almeida...

... is hands down the best book I have ever seen on performace, scalabilty, and capacity planning for web software.

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posted 11-07-2001 03:14 PM         

(PS All these books are linked from our http://www.qabooks.com site)

posted 11-08-2001 06:57 AM         

yes I come from a technical background, but this book would still be useful for someone who is relatively new to the subject. A lot of the book is very mathematical and most of it may be way over your head. But there should be enough useful information at a low level to justify buying it.

as a primer, you might want to look into some of the basics of the web. There are many many articles and descriptions and information on the net, presented at all different levels. Do a search and read up on some of the following topics:

html
javascript
http
tcp/ip

these are the basic building blocks of everything on the web. If you want to get into performance/load/stress/scalability testing, you need to have a good understanding of all of these.

I also found www.wdvl.com to be very helpful in learning web stuff.

My advice is for anyone who wants to learn more is to dabble a little in web development yourself.

-Corey

posted 11-08-2001 09:49 AM         

quote:

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Corey says:
If you want to get into performance/load/stress/scalability testing, you need to have a good understanding of all of these.

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I am so heavily into the throes of performance testing that I'm having nightmares about the dang stuff! LOL

quote:

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Corey goes on to say:

as a primer, you might want to look into some of the basics of the web. There are many many articles and descriptions and information on the net, presented at all different levels. Do a search and read up on some of the following topics:

html
javascript
http
tcp/ip

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Good advice. Now, do you know any really good sources for Winsock?

------------------
Mel_Rutt@sra.com

posted 11-08-2001 12:32 PM         

let me know if u have any other questions.

good luck!

-Corey