Summary
Cleanscape executives were recently included in an article about the mission-critical importance of testing software before release. Following are excerpts from the article, including excerpts from quotes from Cleanscape executives:
Are You Covered? (Excerpts)
Code Coverage is a commonly overlooked test procedure, and one that can easily get software managers -- and their companies -- in hot water
by Edward J. Correia
 If you think your software is being thoroughly tested, you may be in for a surprise.
A recent study published by International Data Corp. found that nearly 75 percent of companies conducting business on the Web in excess of $200 million have suffered Web site failure within the past six months, mainly due to software bugs and complications relating to software upgrades. But according to Richard Bender, senior vice president of Caliber-RBT product management at Technology Builders Inc. (TBI) the problem is not limited to commerce web sites and space flight. Bender said that during the more than 200 software audits his company has conducted, only about 30 percent to 40 percent of the code, on average, was actually tested prior to release.
When explaining the need to use QA tools as an integral part of any testing strategy, Bender said he often finds informational voids in the corporate culture. "When I ask executives what they have done to handle the quality of what they're producing, most of the time I get blank stares," Bender said. "We have to educate senior management on quality issues, because they're still viewing this as a techie issue and not a bottom-line business issue," he said.
Zohar Gilad, vice president of product marketing at Mercury Interactive Corp. agrees. "Testing is a CEO problem," he said. "It's not just a developer problem anymore. It has become a much bigger issue because of the importance associated with it... Testing is not a luxury anymore; it is a must. If your products are not reliable and performing well, your revenue is going to be hurting."
"The implementation of testing is a technical issue," said Ted Batha, Cleanscape president and CEO. "Engineering has always been the glamour child of any software organization. Because of the investment requirements, testing doesn't always get the proper recognition in organizations that it should; it just needs to get more visibility."
"Buggy software is also a management issue," said Brent Duncan, Cleanscape director of marketing. "The CEO's job is to have a vision, to make a plan, and to create an environment and an infrastructure by which that plan can come about. And what we try to do with our software is to make sure that management can see the value of doing the testing process early."
Cleanscape (www.cleanscape.net) offers a code coverage module in its software test automation tool.
Too see the complete article "Are you covered?" please see the November 15, 2000 issue of Software DevelopmentTimes.
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