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+===================================================+
+======= Quality Techniques Newsletter =======+
+======= January 2001 =======+
+===================================================+
QUALITY TECHNIQUES NEWSLETTER (QTN) is E-mailed monthly to Subscribers
worldwide to support the Software Research, Inc. (SR), TestWorks,
QualityLabs, and eValid user communities and other interested parties to
provide information of general use to the worldwide internet and
software quality and testing community.
Permission to copy and/or re-distribute is granted, and secondary
circulation is encouraged by recipients of QTN provided that the entire
document/file is kept intact and this complete copyright notice appears
with it in all copies. Information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe
is at the end of this issue. (c) Copyright 2003 by Software Research,
Inc.
========================================================================
Contents of This Issue
o QW2001 -- Mark Your Calendars!
o How To Write Good
o APG Addition to TCAT/C-C++ and TCAT/Java
o eValid: A New Technology for WebSite Testing
o eValid Cooperation Opportunities
o E-Commerce Applications Conference
o International Workshop on Internet Bots: Systems & Applications
o 2nd International Conference on eXtreme Programming and Flexible
Processes in Software Engineering - XP2001
o Second International Workshop on Automated Program Analysis,
Testing and Verification (WAPATV)
o Fourth International Workshop on Web Engineering
o QTN Article Submittal, Subscription Information
========================================================================
QW2001 -- Mark Your Calendars!
Remember to mark your calendars for QW2001: 29 May 2001 through 1 June
2001 in San Francisco, California.
We have had a record number of presentations proposals, and the QW2001
Advisory Board is reviewing the proposals as this QTN issue is being
sent.
Look for the complete QW2001 technical program at:
<http://www.soft.com/QualWeek/QW2001>
========================================================================
How to Write Good
In his new book Fumblerules, William Safire gives a lighthearted look at
grammar and good usage. The following are "fumblerules"-mistakes that
call attention to the rule:
Avoid run-on sentences they are hard to read.
No sentence fragments.
It behooves us to avoid archaisms.
Also, avoid awkward, affected, and allusive alliteration.
Don't use no double negatives.
If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times: Resist
hyperbole.
Avoid commas, that are not necessary.
Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Writing carefully, dangling participles should not be used.
Kill all exclamation points!!!
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
Take the bull by the hand, and don't mix metaphors.
Don't verb nouns.
Never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.
========================================================================
APG Addition to TCAT/C-C++ and TCAT/Java
The latest Ver. 3.1 releases of TCAT/C-C++ and TCAT/Java now include an
integrated All Paths Generator (APG) capability. APG's aim is to give
C-C++ and Java programmers instant information about the relative
structural complexity of individual functions or modules/objects.
The new APG feature is accessed from simple click-on buttons within the
TCAT/C-C++ or TCAT/Java Digraph display. The data generated always
relates to the current function or module and gives the following
information:
o Total number of segments (edges).
o Total number of nodes (fixed internal states).
o The cyclomatic complexity of the object.
o The total number of 1-trip paths in the program.
o The shortest and longest paths in the program.
o The highest level of iteration in the program.
o The number of basis paths (those with no iteration).
o The number of iterative paths based on the depth of repetition.
In addition, the APG outputs include a complete enumeration of all of
the equivalence classes of program flow, up to a repetition count within
the looping structure. Studies have shown a high correlation between
the APG-generated total 1-trip path count and the discovery rate of
errors for that particular module. This is in contract to a relatively
lower correlation between cyclomatic complexity and the error-proneness
of individual modules.
You can learn about the new APG features at:
<http://www.soft.com/Products/Coverage.msw/APG/index.html>
Release notes for the new builds are at these locations:
TCAT/C-C++:
<http://www.soft.com/Support/ReleaseNotes/tcatJ31.html>
TCAT/Java:
<http://www.soft.com/Support/ReleaseNotes/tcatC31.html>
Downloads for the newest builds of TCAT/C-C++ and TCAT/Java are as
follows:
TCAT/C-C++:
<http://www.soft.com/Products/Downloads/down.tcatC31.html>
TCAT/Java:
<http://www.soft.com/Products/Downloads/down.tcatJ31.html>
========================================================================
eValid: A New Technology for WebSite Testing
eValid(tm) changes the way you think about assuring WebSite quality.
eValid is a Test Enabled Web Browser(tm) that performs all the functions
needed for detailed WebSite static and dynamic testing, QA/Validation,
page tuning, and load generation. eValid has superior ease-of-use and
runs on Windows 98/NT/2000.
eValid's rich feature set makes your WebSite quality project as simple
as possible:
* All eValid Functions Available In Menu Pulldowns
- Full capability browser (100% IE compatible)
- Totally ObjectMode plus RealTime record/play operation
- Simple, editable ASCII script language
- Playback logfiles are spread-sheet, HTML, database ready
* Functional Testing Support
- Multiple content validation modes
- Screen area validation and synchronization
- Secure session support
- Java Applet, ActiveX Control support
- JavaScript, VBScript support
- Tests with Flash, Shockwave, are OK
- Wizards to test links, objects, elements, etc.
* Script Playback Control Flexibility
- Pause/Resume, Run Multiple, Run Forever
- Session timing limits and alarms
- Command line interface, API
* WebSite Page Tuning
- Complete, detailed timings including page rendering times
- Page component timing breakdown
- Build-in graphical reporting
* Loading and Capacity Analysis
- 100% browser based user scenario simulations
- Multi-user load scenario definition
- Multiple browser (e.g. 250+) auto-launch
- Dialup modem simulation
See what users are saying about eValid:
<http://www.soft.com/eValid/Products/kudos.html>
Try out a DEMO or EVAL Version of eValid Ver. 2.1 by downloading from:
<http://www.soft.com/eValid/Products/Download/down.evalid21.html>
eValid's Page Tuning feature is illustrated at:
<http://www.soft.com/eValid/Products/Charts/eVPerformance.html>
The eValid LoadTest feature is described at:
<http://www.soft.com/eValid/Products/Documentation/eV.load.html>
Take a quick look at the eValid GUI and other material about the product
at:
<http://www.soft.com/eValid/Products/Documentation/eV.GUI.unlinked.html>
========================================================================
eValid Cooperation Opportunities
We have been excited about the reception received in recent months as we
have introduced the eValid(tm) Test Enabled Web Browser(tm) to the
software testing and quality community.
We are working with a limited number of companies to let them take
advantage of this new technology in on-going website testing and QoS
measurement activities. eValid cooperation possibilities might include:
* Low cost (or short-term FREE) use of eValid by consultants who are
analyzing others' websites?
* Setup of dedicated in-house Site Monitoring capabilities using
special licenses of eValid.
* Creation of "in-depth" transaction oriented monitoring to augment
less-sophisticated "ping"-type site/URL checking.
* Resale rights of eValid products and services.
* eValid licensing for customers for direct revenue generation.
If these or related ideas interest you please send your proposal or
suggestion to Edward Miller at .
========================================================================
E-Commerce Applications Conference,
June 10 - 13, 2001
Seattle, Washington
Conference Theme:
Improving E-commerce Applications through Effective
Testing and Quality Enhancements
Sponsors:
Seattle Area Software Quality Assurance Group (SASQAG)
Quality Assurance Institute.
Location:
Doubletree Guest Suites Seattle-Southcenter
16500 Southcenter Parkway
Seattle, Washington 98188-3388
Tel: 206/575-8220
Fax: 206/575-4743
WebSite:
<http://www.hilton.com/doubletree/hotels/SEASPDT/index.html>
Contact:
Brian Globerman
Data Dimensions Inc
425-709-2094
Email: brian-globerman@data-dimensions.com
========================================================================
International Workshop on Internet Bots: Systems and Applications
<http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/awkng/inbosa2001.htm>
in conjunction with
12th International Conference on Database and Expert Systems Applications
(DEXA2001)
September 3-7, 2001
Munich, Germany
Workshop proceedings to be published by IEEE Computer Society Press
Objectives A "bot", short for robot, is a software tool for discovering
data. You give it directions and it searches data and report back to
you. The term "bot" has become synonymous with agent. An agent is a bot
that goes out on a mission. On the Internet, bots have taken on a new
lease of life. Since Web servers are connected, robot-like software is
the perfect way to perform the methodical and sometimes intelligent
searches needed to find information. Currently, there is a
proliferation of bots on the Internet; from newsbots, commerce bots,
shopping bots, stock bots, etc. to e-government bots. The bot concept is
of particular interest in mobile wireless systems where the handheld
devices have limited processing and storage capabilities and where the
air link has limited bandwidth. Resources can be saved by sending bots
out on mission and disconnect. When accomplishing the mission, the bots
can return to the handheld device with the results. Bots can also be
sent ahead to a visiting site to discover the available facilities such
as printer, fax, etc. for the mobile user.
In this workshop, we invite researchers and practitioners to report on
their latest developments of bots on the Internet. They may be bots of
research interests and bots that have been deployed for practical use.
Topics are but not limited to:
* Agent deployment on WWW
* Agent systems and applications
* System architectures for Web Agent Environments
* Back-end Support for Web Agents
* Agents, Web and Electronic Commerce
* Agents, Web and Gadgets
* Agents for cooperative information systems
* Information gathering agents
* Agent communication protocols
* Middleware support for Agents
* Mobile agents on WWW
* Interacting Personalized Web Agents
* Expertise Finding Agents
* Agent Pricing Strategies and information economy
* Security and Privacy of Web Agents
* Standards for Agents on WWW
* Agents, Web and Work-flows
* Agents in mobile communications
* Agents in facility discovery
Contact: Asst. Prof Wee-Keong Ng
School of Applied Science
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798
Email: awkng@ntu.edu.sg
========================================================================
2nd International Conference on eXtreme Programming
and Flexible Processes in Software Engineering - XP2001
21-23 May, 2001, Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy
Home Page: http://www.xp2001.org
General Chair: Kent Beck, First Class Software, Inc., USA
Program Chair: Michele Marchesi, University of Cagliari, Italy
Program Co-chair: Giancarlo Succi, University of Alberta, Canada
Following the big success of XP2000, the Second International Conference
on eXtreme Programming and Flexible Processes in Software Engineering is
to be a forum for discussing theories, practices and tools, and
experiences on XP and other flexible software processes in the industry,
in academia, and in research institutions.
The conference will consist of technical presentations, practitioner's
reports, panels, poster sessions, activity sessions, demonstrations,
workshops, tutorials.
Authors, please refer to XP2001 Web site: http://www.xp2001.org or send
an e-mail to: michele@diee.unica.it
========================================================================
The Second International Workshop on Automated Program
Analysis, Testing and Verification (WAPATV)
Overview: Software verification is an expensive process, typically
costing upwards of 50% of the total software development costs.
Automation has massive potential to reduce costs, increase quality and
cut time-to-market. Many verification techniques exist and are being
actively researched: static analysis, testing and formal verification.
However, they have largely been applied as isolated technologies. Due to
recent developments in static analysis, automated testing and automated
program verification, the boundaries between these fields have begun to
blur. There are many open questions regarding the integration of
automated testing and verification, the relationships between different
algorithms, and the use of static analysis to assist testing and
verification.
The goal of this workshop is to gather the most active researchers and
industrial practitioners from the fields of automated program analysis,
testing and verification to discuss the overlap and integration between
these fields. Relevant issues include theoretical foundations, tools
and techniques, empirical studies and industrial experience. At the
first WAPATV workshop in Limerick, transferring the state-of-the-art
advances into the state-of-practice was identified as a major issue. In
addition to discussing recent advances and industrial achievements, this
workshop will attempt to examine the barriers to technology transfer and
how they can be circumvented.
The format of the workshop will consist of number of mini- panel
discussion sessions. Related submission of work-in- progress and
position papers will be briefly presented followed by discussion time.
The workshop is a one day event, however a joint morning session with
the SEMINAL workshop has been arranged for the morning following WAPATV.
This session will examine how metaheuristic techniques have been used to
automate software testing and examine whether these techniques may be
exploited in other areas of interest to WAPATV.
The topics of interest include any aspect of automated program analysis,
testing and verification from both industry and academia. These include,
but are not limited to:
* static analysis techniques for program reduction
* static analysis techniques for error detection
* automated testing and test-case generation
* automated regression testing
* industrial case studies
* automated abstraction
* technology transfer issues
* integration of verification and testing techniques
* analysis techniques to support verification/testing
Organizing Committee:
John Penix
NASA Ames Research Center, USA
jpenix@ptolemy.arc.nasa.gov
Nigel Tracey Realogy, UK
ntracey@realogy.com
(or njt@cs.york.ac.uk)
Willem Visser
RIACS, NASA Ames Research Center, USA
wvisser@ptolemy.arc.nasa.gov
========================================================================
Fourth International Workshop on Web Engineering
1 May 2001, Hong Kong
http://aeims.uws.edu.au/webe2001/
Held in conjunction with the Tenth World Wide Web (WWW10) Conference,
Hong Kong, 1-5 May 2001
This fourth Workshop is organized in response to the increasing need to
systematise current ad hoc approaches to creating and maintaining Web-
based applications. It focuses on successful development of large,
complex Web-based systems and provides a mix of academic research and
experience of industry practitioners to address the major problems in
building and maintaining such systems.
The Workshop builds upon the five previous workshops (at WWW7, WWW8,
WWW9, ICSE99 and ICSE2000) and incorporates the best practices from
Software Engineering and other disciplines which impact upon Web-based
application development.
We are especially looking for case studies in developing Web sites and
applications of all hues and sizes, exemplifying good practices and
methodologies, and lessons learned. The World Wide Web conference,
WWW10, like its predecessors, will attract traditionally divergent
groups of researchers and practitioners. This Workshop is a conscious
and specially directed effort at building bridges between communities
while addressing the common concerns of Web Engineering from multiple
perspectives.
This workshop will primarily focus on the following main themes related
to Web development:
Case studies and lessons learned
Requirements identification, specification and analysis
Development methodologies and practices
Web quality and performance measures, testing and evaluation
Web technologies
Submissions focusing on system design, life-cycle and management of
large Web-based systems, educational and research issues and other areas
are also welcome.
The Workshop Proceedings will be published by the WWW10 organizing
committee.
========================================================================
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