Integrating testing into the curriculum — arsenic in small doses

ABSTRACT

Testing accounts for 50% of the cost of software, yet it receives little treatment in most curricula. This paper presents some approaches to giving all students multiple, incremental exposures to software testing throughout the curriculum. A unifying framework is presented which identifies a minimal set of test experiences, skills and concepts students should accumulate. The integrated approach combines common test experiences in core courses, an elective course in software testing, and volunteer participation in a test laboratory.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Curriculum

General Terms:
Design, Documentation, Human Factors, Management, Performance, Reliability, Standardization, Theory, Verification

Keywords:
software testing, tester certification