Sweeney uses her strong background in automated software testing and software engineering to enable testers to supplement automated testing with specialized test routines. This book offers specific testing functions and subroutines that can be written in Visual Basic.

A significant problem in the software-testing arena is that automated tools are often inadequate. Companies have to purchase several test tools in order to perform all required tests, and this can be expensive.

Filling the gaps with self-generated tests saves money. However, no guidelines exist for the subroutines or functions that should be used, and no coding examples are readily available. Sweeney’s book provides testers with these necessary functions and subroutines. Written for software test engineers who have little knowledge of programming, the book is easy to understand and provides very clear examples.

Chapter 1 provides an overview of automated software testing; the book then moves directly into a chapter on creating an automated test project in Visual Basic. Two chapters briefly explain the basics of Visual Basic development. Chapters 5 and 6 provide specific code examples of test utilities and testing with the Windows Registry. Chapter 7 discusses use of the Windows Application Programming Interface (API). Part 4 of the book, which includes chapters 8 to 12, discusses specific test situations, including database testing, testing Component Object Model (COM) components, testing the Web, and VB.NET. Excellent exercises are provided, along with downloadable code.

Because most API routines were not written with the Visual Basic programmer in mind, Sweeney offers a chapter on Windows API. She shows differences in how Visual Basic and C++ handle arguments and string data, and also defines the Windows API routines that are useful to the tester.

Sweeney’s consistent focus on code that is applicable to software testing is the strength of the book. A practical handbook of subroutines, functions and API routines, the book provides a solid foundation for software test engineers. Using examples in the book, the average software tester can supplement automated testing, and provide better results for his or her company.