Seven Principles of Software Testing

Abstract

While everyone knows the theoretical limitations of software testing, in practice we devote considerable effort to this task and would consider it foolish or downright dangerous to skip it. Other verification techniques such as static analysis, model checking, and proofs have great potential, but none is ripe for overtaking tests as the dominant verification technique. This makes it imperative to understand the scope and limitations of testing and perform it right. The principles that follow emerged from experience studying software testing and developing automated tools such as AutoTest.