Most importantly, this book debunks the myth that testing tools alone will automate the testing process successfully. It does a good job of showing the limitations of today's testing tools. Instead of providing quick fixes, the authors show that with proper planning, you can design and reuse test scripts in addition to automating many aspects of the testing process (such as comparing actual and expected results). With chapters on designing test scripts, creating a testing architecture that will allow you to reuse test cases, and even documentation on choosing the right testing tool for your needs, this book is filled with plenty of nuts-and-bolts advice.
Later the authors explain software metrics for tracking defects and how to phase in automated testing for the real-world organization (with a good eye for your shop's return on investment). The book closes with over a dozen case studies from the field, in which testing professionals from large companies (including Microsoft) relate their successes (and failures) with real-world test automation. Accessibly written and filled with real-world expertise, Software Test Automation provides a worthy resource for any test engineer on the effective implementation of automated software testing. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered: test automation basics, the V-model for testing, testing tool limitations, scripts, automating result verification and comparison, filters, testing architecture, pre- and post-processing, improving test maintainability, testing metrics, ROI, choosing a test tool, implementing automated testing within organizations, case studies.