Spring 2025 — Schedule

Note: AO-Ch x means chapter x in Ammann and Offutt text book
K-Ch x means chapter x in Koskela's Test Driven (This is recommended reading. You don't have to buy the book. Free trial available.)

Meet	Date	Topics and Handouts	Readings	Assignments	Quizzes	Activities / POTDs
Course overview and intro to software testing
1	Thur 01/23	Get Familiar with Our Course, Let's Set Expectation A bit about this course and how we shall work together		Pre-assignment: Verify access to class platforms (due ASAP) [25-Jan] Assignment 1 released		DIY: complete the Let's start form (please complete it by 31-Jan-2025, 11:59pm) Activity: Get to know you (no submission) Activity: Check-in (no submission)
2	Tue 01/28	Why Test? Who cares? So what? Intro to Software Testing What is Software Testing? What are differences between testing and debugging? What are some testing categories? How mature is your testing?	AO-Ch1, AO-Ch2.1			Activity: How do you test? (no submission) Activity: Rubber duck debugging (no submission)
3	Thur 01/30	Faults−Errors−Failures, and RIPR model What aspects must be analyzed when designing tests and how do we analyze them? Model Driven Test Design (MDTD) How does testing fit in the software development process? What are testing activities? How do we work at a higher level of abstraction, using mathematical structures to design tests?	AO-Ch2			Activity: RIPR (no submission) [sample solution] Activity: Model for testing (no submission)
3	Thur 01/30	DIY: Set up test environment (JUnit) Please try to set up the test environment (JUnit) before next class. The class discussion will be more effective and enjoyable if your environment is readily available.
Test automation and test framework
4	Tue 02/04	Test Automation Designing for testability Test code quality How do we test software automatically? What makes test automation hard? What are characteristics of good tests? JUnit One of the most commonly used test automation frameworks for Java	AO-Ch3 Flaky tests			Activity: Model for testing (wrap-up) This is an open-ended activity. No sample solution provided. Activity: Get started with JUnit (no submission) (require Java environment and JUnit) [sample solution]
4	Tue 02/04	JUnit5 You are recommended to use Eclipse; JUnit 5 comes with it. (Note: You may use any Java IDE or command line, and set up / set class path JUnit) There are a number of good tutorials on how to set up (or use) JUnit 5, such as https://blog.codefx.org/libraries/junit-5-setup/ and https://www.eclipse.org/community/ If you do not already have Java on your machine, download and install it. JUnit 5 requires Java 8 or higher.
5	Thur 02/06	JUnit Let's explore more JUnit features	AO-Ch3	Assignment 1: RIPR & MDTD (due 02/06, before class) [02/09] sample solution -- in Brightspace [02/18] Assignment 1 grades released		Class meets on Zoom. Please use Zoom link (remember to log in with your UAlbany account) (Zoom link also in Brightspace's 02/06 announcement and your mailbox) SUT, test template (no submission) (require Java environment and JUnit) [sample solution] POTD 1: JUnit (Due 02/07, 10:30am EST) (require Java environment and JUnit) [Sample solution -- in Brightspace]
5	Thur 02/06	DIY: Set up test environment (Selenium) Please try to set up the test environment (Selenium) before next class. Class discussion will be more effective and enjoyable if your environment is readily available.
6	Tue 02/11	Selenium One of the most commonly used test automation frameworks for web apps	Selenium documentation	[11-Feb] Assignment 2 released	Quiz 1 guide [02/18] Quiz 1 grades released Quiz 1 reflection & correction (Due 02/28, 11:59pm EST) (Quiz 1: sample solution — in Brightspace)	Get started with POTD 2 (require Java environment, JUnit, Selenium)
6	Tue 02/11	Selenium There are a number of good tutorials on how to set up and use Selenium. You may follow Get started with Selenium to set up your test environment. How do you know if your test environment works? Try running the provided test template. You should see a web browser open and close. The test should pass. EmptyTemplateForChrome_Test.java — if you use Chrome EmptyTemplateForFirefox_Test.java — if you use Firefox Note: the templates were created for Mac. For Windows users, please verify the paths to your browser driver and attach `.exe` to your drivers Chrome driver installation with Selenium Thanks to Andrea Jerausek (UVA Spring 2023 TA) for creating the installation tutorial (for Windows) Disable Chrome auto update in Windows Thanks to Sharmista Kuri (UAlbany Fall 2024, Spring 2025 TA) for creating the instructions (for Windows) JUnit/Selenium setup and troubleshooting Thanks to all my former Software Testing teaching teams for sharing their experience. Special thanks to Jonah Kim (UVA Spring 2024 TA) for creating detailed instructions on the installation. If you are familiar with Gradle, Maven, Ant, or any dependency management tools/frameworks, and prefer to use them to set up your Selenium, please feel free to use them instead of manually setting up Selenium. We choose not to introduce them in class to minimize additional tools/frameworks/software that you need to deal with.
7	Thur 02/13	Selenium Let's explore more Selenium features				POTD 2: Selenium (Due 02/14, 10:30am EST) (require Java environment, JUnit, Selenium) [Sample solution -- in Brightspace]
Test design, generation, execution, evaluation and analysis, and improvement
8	Tue 02/18	Coverage-based Test Design How do we know if we have tested enough? Why coverage criteria? How should we design tests? Why don't we need all possible tests?	AO-Ch.5			Activity: Coverage-based test design (no submission) [sample solution]
9	Thur 02/20	Coverage-based Test Design in Action Let's put the concept into action — invent our own coverage criterion, derive tests to satisfy the criterion, execute and evaluate our tests, and analyze the coverage level.	AO-Ch.5	Assignment 2: RIPR & JUnit (due 02/20, before class) [03/24] partial sample solutions -- in Brightspace [03/24] Assignment 2 grades released [21-Feb] Assignment 3 released		POTD 3: Candy ~~Tasting~~ testing (Due 02/21, 10:30am EST) This is an open-ended activity. No sample solution provided.
Input Space Partitioning (ISP) Testing
10	Tue 02/25	Input Space Partition (ISP) Testing How do we design tests without having source code (of a program under test)? Is ISP black-box testing? An Industrial Study of Applying Input Space Partitioning to Test Financial Calculation Engines (This is an example of how the concepts have been applied to industry; recommended reading, it will not be tested)	AO-Ch6.1		Quiz 2 guide [03/24] Quiz 2 grades released Quiz 2 reflection & correction (Due 03/31, 11:59pm EST)	Activity: IDM (no submission) [sample solution]
11	Thur 02/27	ISP: Coverage Criteria All Combination Each Choice Pair-Wise Base Choice Multiple Base Choice Which ISP coverage criterion should we use? Why? How do we apply the criterion to derive tests? How many tests do we need?	AO-Ch6.2, 6.3			POTD 4: ISP coverage (Due 02/28, 10:30am EST) [sample solution] More practice: ISP (no submission) [sample solution]
12	Tue 03/04	General Ideas: Web App Testing ISP: Apply to Web Apps Can we test web apps the same way we test traditional software? How should we test? What are web-specific features that must be taken into account when designing tests? Here is one way to test web apps systematically.				Activity: ISP web app (no submission) [sample solution]
Graph-based Testing
13	Thur 03/06	Graph-based Testing Structural Coverage Criteria Node Edge Edge-Pair Complete Path One of the most commonly used coverage criteria	AO-Ch7.1 AO-Ch7.2			POTD 5: Graph coverage (Due 03/07, 10:30am EST) [sample solution] Graph coverage web app
14	Tue 03/11	Visited by (slides) Jeff Offutt Professor and Chair, Computer Science, UAlbany, Software Testing textbook co-author, Prime path coverage inventor Structural Coverage Criteria Prime Path How should we handle loops in graphs? Execute loop once, 0 time, many times?	AO-Ch7.2, AO-Ch7.3.1	Assignment 3: ISP, JUnit, Selenium (due 03/11, before class) (Note: This assignment may be time-consuming. Please plan and manage your time properly) [04/10] This is an open-ended assignment. No sample solution provided. [04/10] Assignment 3 grades released		More graph coverage practice: worksheet–1, worksheet–2 (no submission)
15	Thur 03/13	[03/11: Updated the class schedule] — Per the class discussion and vote, we will follow Option 3: No class meeting on 03/13. Attend the Bunshaft lecture on 03/13 at 11am, take attendance, and receive 50% on Quiz 3 and POTD 6 grades. Submit a write-up/reflection on what you have learned from the talk and how that applies to your future career. You will receive the remaining 50% on Quiz 3 and POTD 6. The class meets at the Bunshaft lecture at 11am. No quiz 3 will be administered in class. No POTD 6 will be done in class. Bunshaft lecture attendance will receive 50% on Quiz 3 and POTD 6. Please be sure to look for the teaching team and sign your name on the attendance sheet. Submit a reasonable write-up/reflection on what you have learned from the talk and how that applies to your future career to Gradescope (deadline 27-March, 10:30am, no late submission, no extension). You will receive the remaining 50% on Quiz 3 and POTD 6. The write-up/reflection is an individual task — thus, the write-up will be specific and individualized.
	03/15−03/21	Spring break, no class (refer to Albany's Academic Calendar)
16	Tue 03/25	Apply to Source Code How do we create graph representation of the software under test? Let's put graph coverage criteria into action. Data Flow Coverage Criteria All-Defs All-Uses All-DU-Paths How do we analyze data flow of a software artifact and integrate them into a graph model? How do we design tests to ensure that the program states / values are created and used properly?	AO-Ch7.2	[26-Mar] Assignment 4 released		Activity: CFG (no submission) This is an open-ended activity. No sample solution provided. Activity: Structural graph (no submission) [sample solution] Activity: Data flow coverage (no submission) [sample solution] Data flow coverage web app
17	Thur 03/27	Data flow Coverage: Apply to Source Code Putting it all together and designing unit-level tests to satisfy data flow coverage criteria.	AO-Ch7.3.2, AO-Ch7.4			POTD 7: Data flow for source (Due 03/28, 10:30am EST) [sample solution]
17	Thur 03/27	[03/27: Updated the class schedule] — Per the class discussion, we decided to move a class discussion on graph coverage for design element, assignments 4 and 5, and showcase checkpoint 1 (for CSI 561) down by one class meeting.
18	Tue 04/01	Graph Coverage for Design Elements Software usually consists of multiple components (or modules or subsystems) and there are data flow couplings between these components. How do we design tests beyond unit-level testing?	AO-Ch7.3.2, AO-Ch7.4			Activity: Graph for design (no submission) [sample solution]
Logic-based Testing
19	Thur 04/03	Logic-based Testing Predicate Clause Combinatorial How should we design tests based on semantic of the logic expressions? Will tests designed for equivalent predicates always be the same?	AO-Ch8.1		Quiz 4 guide [20-Apr] Quiz 4 grades released Quiz 4 reflection & correction (Due 04/30, 11:59pm EST)	Let's refresh our memory (some) Algebra Laws POTD 8: Logic coverage (Due 04/04, 10:30am EST) [sample solution] Logic coverage web app
20	Tue 04/08	Determination A clause determines the value of its predicate when the other clauses have certain values. How do we know what values the other clauses should have? Active Clause Coverage Criteria (ACC) GACC RACC CACC When some aspects are supposed to impact the behavior of a software under test, how should we design tests to check if they actually do impact? ACC – A form of "Modified Condition Decision Coverage" (MCDC), required by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for safety critical avionics software	AO-Ch8.1	Assignment 4: Graph & JUnit (due 04/08, before class) (Note: This assignment may be time-consuming. Please plan and manage your time properly) [04/28] partial sample solutions -- in Brightspace [04/28] Assignment 4 grades released		Activity: ACC (no submission) [sample solution]
21	Thur 04/10	Apply to Source Code How do we identify test requirements according to logical expressions found in program source code? How should we derive tests to ensure proper evaluation of the expressions? How are reachability and controllability issues handled when applying logic coverage criteria?	AO-Ch8.3	[11-Apr] Assignment 5 released		POTD 9: Logic for source (Due 04/11, 10:30am EST) [sample solution]
22	Tue 04/15	Apply to Source Code Can we reuse tests when a software is refactored (or gets evolved)? How do we analyze? How much can we reuse? Some ideas toward regression testing.	AO-Ch8.3			Activity: Logic for source (no submission) [sample solution]
Testing as central activity, TDD
23	Thur 04/17	Shift Testing Left, Test-Driven Development (TDD) Users always change their mind and software continues to evolve. How do we use testing as central activity to embrace evolutionary design? How do we use test harnesses as guideline in software development and refactoring? We try to be productive with TDD, but when not to use TDD.	AO-Ch4, K-Ch1 to Ch4, TDD (wikipedia)		Quiz 5 guide [21-Apr] Quiz 5 grades released Quiz 5 reflection & correction (Due 05/01, 11:59pm EST)	Activity: TDD (Java program) (require: JUnit and Java environment) (no submission) [sample solution]
24	Tue 04/22	TDD web app We have used TDD to build a standalone Java program. How do we use TDD to build a web app?	K-Ch1 to Ch4 K-Ch1 to Ch4	Assignment 5: Logic (due 04/22, before class) [05/01] sample solutions -- in Brightspace [05/01] Assignment 5 grades released		POTD 10: TDD web app (Due 04/23, 10:30am EST) (require: Selenium, JUnit, Java environment, web server) [sample solution]
25	Thur 04/24	Test Doubles What do we do if some parts of the software are unavailable but we need them to test another part? Using stubs, fakes, and mocks to simplify testing. What to mock, when to mock, and when not to mock.	K-Ch1 to Ch4			Recap-TDD (no submission) [sample solution]
Another testing technique; Course wrap-up
26	Tue 04/29	Bypass testing Although client-side and server-side input validations can be used as double safeguard to prevent unacceptable users' entries, users can still bypass the validations. How should we design tests targeting the validations and web-specific constraints?				Activity: Bypass testing (no submission) This is an open-ended activity. No sample solution provided. Link for discussion: Client-side input validation SQL injection: [bad], [good]
27	Thur 05/01	Course wrap-up and final exam guide Q&A. No additional topic/discussion.				More practice: drawing CFG Based on our class discussion, we used one of last semester's graph homework questions and practiced drawing a control flow graph. Additional practices and sample solutions are posted for your reference. [sample solution]
28	Tue 05/06	Last minutes Q&A No additional topic/discussion. Feel free to drop by to chat or discuss about anything. Examples from our conversation: RACC example, CACC example	Class meets on Zoom. Please use Zoom link (remember to log in with your UAlbany account)
FE	Wed 05/14	Final Exam: Wednesday, 14-May, 1:00pm-3:00pm EST, Room: Lecture Center 22 [Please refer to final exam guide for detail]

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Last updated 2025-05-28 11:51

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