Software Requirements Best Practices
Top Stories
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Tip
26 Jun 2018
How to avoid wasting time in a mobile app development project
A tedious, drawn-out app development process can frustrate everyone involved. Follow these five tips and tricks to ensure that developers don't waste time. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jul 2019
Staging environment best practices that boost software QA
Despite advances like shift-right testing in production environments, staging environments still have a crucial role to play. Continue Reading
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Podcast
29 Jul 2019
Apache exec talks prudent open source software project usage
The open source community faces a number of technical and existential threats. A veteran talks open source's role, funding, security and compliance, as well as his favorite projects. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jul 2019
Mendix tweaks low-code, no-code platform with AI, mobile
The latest version of Mendix's low-code platform aims to empower both professional developers and citizen developers to build apps easily. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jul 2019
How to build a test automation framework
To create an automated testing framework, establish plans for test creation, tools, reporting, logs and maintenance. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jul 2019
Discern these open source license terms to avoid legal snags
Fluent in Ruby but at a loss in legalese? Open source licenses obligate developers to observe specific conditions, so you must know these terms. Let's break them down in plain English. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jul 2019
How to choose cross-platform mobile development tools
Cross-platform development tools help organizations build apps for a variety of users and devices. But where to start? Learn what types of tools fit which situations. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Jul 2019
How to meet QA responsibilities during a software tester shortage
An organization facing a dire shortage of QA engineers can't just dump these tasks on developers. Here's how to keep up software quality with limited QA resources. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jul 2019
How to form a regression testing plan with these 5 questions
Make regression testing part of a software quality control plan. Determine the project's testing requirements, and team preferences, to clarify a potent regression testing strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Jul 2019
GitHub Enterprise features, dev appeals reveal strategy
GitHub made moves in 2018 and 2019 to broaden and deepen its user base. Learn the major changes that users should know before committing code on the platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jul 2019
Define a continuous improvement process with EA models, practices
Continuous improvement isn't just about centers of excellence or feedback loops. Ultimately, it must bring the vast enterprise architecture into rapid-fire code changes, and vice versa. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Jul 2019
Get started with native Windows mobile app development
There are pros and cons to embarking on Windows mobile app development. Find out if developing natively in Windows is right for your company. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
09 Jul 2019
Pick up basic Git commands with a hands-on tutorial
To get things done in Git, know your commands. Open up the version control system and replicate this quick tutorial to learn how to run crucial inputs. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jul 2019
Fit iOS development tools into your app dev approach
There are pros and cons to going full bore into iOS development tools. Find out if developing natively in iOS is worth the extra cost and effort. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jul 2019
Pros and cons of Android app development tools
There are pros and cons to embarking on native Android app development. Find out if implementing an Android dev tool is right for your company. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jun 2019
Compare the top mobile operating systems for developers
Explore the differences between the leading mobile operating systems as well as the ways that they differ from traditional desktop applications. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2019
Contract-driven testing syncs API providers, consumers
To check if the APIs your software depends on meet expectations, apply a consumer-driven contract testing framework. Let's examine the syntax, tooling and examples of this approach. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Jun 2019
How do I know what's test automation vs. automated testing?
A script-based tool has replaced a daily testing exercise on some code. Is it simply an automated test, part of a test automation strategy or even DevOps-enabled continuous testing? Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2019
5 common open source software licenses you need to know
Everyone likes getting credit, but not everyone remembers to give it. Learn what conditions open source licenses impose, such as copyright notices and redistribution rules. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2019
SmartBear acquires Cucumber to bolster its testing tool set
SmartBear adds Cucumber's behavior-driven development tools in a bid to pad its lead in software testing, but must also balance the needs of open source and paid tool audiences. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2019
CollabNet, Icon Agility team up for value stream management
The companies are combining CollabNet's value stream management platform with Icon's agility strategy consulting to help enterprises adopt value stream management and DevOps. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2019
How GitHub and Bitbucket augment key Git features
Learn how GitHub and Bitbucket enhance the Git version control system, enabling management and security on top of Git's native abilities to clarify workflows and protect data. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2019
How to use Web Components with UI design tools
What are Web Components and how can you best make use of them? Here's how the set of web APIs helps designers create and customize reusable modules for web apps and user interfaces. Continue Reading
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Podcast
25 Jun 2019
What's shaping the future of UI and UX design
UI/UX designers serve as the voice of users, so it's crucial that they're tuned into their needs. Aaron Fazulak of Flatiron School disseminates UI/UX advice in this podcast. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Jun 2019
Quality assurance testing vs. user acceptance testing
There are differences between QA and UAT, but testers from both sides ought to collaborate and firm up test plans to resolve issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2019
How to make distributed Agile teams efficient and collaborative
Agile teams don't always exist under one roof, but they should still be aligned in responsibilities and goals. Here's the best way to approach global Agile team management. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2019
Eggplant adds new features to AI test automation suite
Eggplant has added customer experience-focused upgrades to its Digital Automation Intelligence Suite that aim to make the testing process faster and easier. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2019
Applitools Eyes now free for open source libraries
Open source libraries can now access Applitools Eyes at no cost as part of Applitools' effort to invest in open source. It has also partnered with This Dot for an apprentice program. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2019
Appery.io integrates Ionic 4 support for mobile app development
Exadel's low-code platform, Appery.io, added Ionic 4 support that enables developers to create high-performing web and mobile apps, according to the vendor. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Jun 2019
Which code quality metrics should devs track?
Developers and testers strive to create quality, reusable code to deploy apps faster and keeps users happy. But what metrics should they track to evaluate code quality? Continue Reading
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Video
19 Jun 2019
Step-by-step tutorial to install Git Integration for Jira
If your team uses Jira and desperately needs more streamlined and comprehensible project updates, check out this video overview of the Git integration add-on. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jun 2019
How autonomous software testing could change QA
Manual testing takes too much time, and test automation scripts need ongoing maintenance. Autonomous testing might provide an answer for teams unwilling to compromise on speed. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2019
CloudBees Rollout buy may herald a future of feature flags
Feature flags can be a powerful tool to test code in production, and that spurred Cloudbees' acquisition of Rollout -- but as always, with great power comes great responsibility. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 May 2019
How Agile and DevOps leadership empowers the whole team
A dictatorial style of leadership doesn't cut it in Agile and DevOps shops. Here's how managers can ditch bad habits and instead encourage team experimentation and decision-making. Continue Reading
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Quiz
31 May 2019
Review QA fundamentals with this software testing quiz
Software testing occurs throughout the development life cycle, and these tests require a deft hand to execute well. Check your knowledge of the fundamentals to see where you stand. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2019
Learn which low-code techniques fit which projects
There's an ideal time and purpose for low- and no-code development tools. And among those platforms there are various modus operandi, each apt for different apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 May 2019
Boost QA velocity with incremental integration testing
The longer it takes to perform tests, the less Agile your team is. Here are four common approaches to integration tests that help reduce bottlenecks and delay. Continue Reading
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News
28 May 2019
GitHub Enterprise security, monitoring tools target large orgs
Additional tools and services in GitHub Enterprise, such as security vulnerability alerts and auditing for open source dependencies, seek to satisfy the company's large customers. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 May 2019
What to expect from AI in app development tools
If an IDE or test suite could truly do it all, would you want it to? See how AI is evolving in app development tools, from assists and prompts to full-scale code generation. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 May 2019
6 ways to accelerate automated software testing
Reducing software test time requires a change in approach. Consider ways to simplify test setup, eliminate redundant aspects of your procedures and override failures. Continue Reading
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Podcast
21 May 2019
Measure UX or risk losing customers, says consultant
A quality customer experience helps ensure software product viability. So, why do organizations stop short in their UX efforts? In this podcast, Isabel Evans espouses the value of UX. Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2019
Microsoft tunes Power Platform for pros, citizen developers
Microsoft's PowerApps low-code app dev environment has quietly crept into a leadership position among low-code tools with its ties to Microsoft Office and Dynamics platforms. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 May 2019
Learn the basics of freelance developer agreements
Developer work agreements protect both the client and the freelancer, and they ensure that the code meets expectations. Each side should pay attention to these contract clauses and technicalities. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 May 2019
Software tester roles must embrace code focus
IT gives testers license to voice contrarian opinions about software. But, as pressure to deploy intensifies, they might not be able to ignore code responsibilities anymore. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2019
Microsoft gets its dev mojo back with Linux, .NET 5, web IDE
Microsoft enticed developers at Build 2019 with a bevy of tools and services that focus on open source, open standards and innovation, including a new release of .NET. Continue Reading
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Opinion
13 May 2019
Ease conflicts with software engineering project management
Development teams try many ways to balance business priorities with software quality in a project -- and most of them don't work. Here's how to keep that relationship balanced. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 May 2019
IT wrangles with test automation benefits and challenges
Test automation is a valuable practice, but it presents challenges for teams and individuals alike. A gradual approach to automation helps boost the odds of successful adoption. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 May 2019
Enlist Jira for testing with these test management add-ons
With the right add-ons, Jira users can turn the tracking product into a potent test management platform. Gauge your organization's Agile maturity, and then consider these options. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 May 2019
5 factors for using open source code in proprietary software
To make the best use of the vast and varied pool of open source software available, developers must be astute about what can actually best serve a project. Continue Reading
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Podcast
30 Apr 2019
Scrum author talks removing dev hurdles, old-world thinking
In this edition of the Test & Release podcast, Gunther Verheyen, a Scrum author and expert, breaks down how Agile helps free IT from a rigid industrial approach. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Apr 2019
TestComplete vs. Katalon Studio: Test automation tool face-off
How many features do you need in a test automation tool? IT consultant Tom Nolle shares what users value most in these two automated front-end testing options -- and crowns a winner. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Apr 2019
Common software compatibility issues and how to fix them
Developers tend to look forward, to the next iteration or the newest software. But, when releasing a feature, don't leave behind end users with older systems and edge case setups. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Apr 2019
Apply these types of code coverage to squash most bugs
Learn technical types of code coverage -- such as all-pairs testing and branch tests -- as well as ways to gather meaningful test cases and prioritize them. Continue Reading
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Infographic
16 Apr 2019
Get the picture: Enterprise DevOps maturity
DevOps promotes shifts in team organization, container usage and, of course, software delivery. Note these DevOps adoption trends to see where your team has room to adapt and mature. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Apr 2019
Exercise risk management in Agile software development
With iterative development, teams can deliver features and patches quickly. And project managers must vigilantly avert new and more severe risks that pop up along the way. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Apr 2019
How low-code governance helps IT protect data, limit sprawl
Low-code app developers must adhere to policies that govern data and resource usage. Lacking governance puts budgets, security and compliance at risk. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Apr 2019
Take a shift-left approach, but avoid developer burnout
Shift left is often a net positive for software quality. Yet, the change moves more tasks to earlier in the app dev process. Take care not to bury developers. Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2019
SmartBear LoadNinja API automates performance testing for CI/CD
A REST API for SmartBear LoadNinja enables development teams to add load testing directly into their CI/CD workflows to automate performance testing for developers. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Apr 2019
Select between distributed version control systems and tools
Before you branch out with a new version control tool, assess the pros and cons of these different options, and make sure to ask for developers' opinions. Continue Reading
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News
02 Apr 2019
Modest Visual Studio 2019 advances target productivity
The latest version of Microsoft's Visual Studio tool set is no big bang, though it does add incremental and useful features for developers to build apps on any platform. Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2019
Continuous Delivery Foundation seeks smoother CI/CD paths
The Linux Foundation's latest project aims to connect CI/CD toolmakers, users and open source projects to establish technical specs for continuous delivery. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2019
Apply automated security scanning during app development
For developers, security is not often a high priority -- but it should be. Automated security scanning tools can help detect and address weaknesses before evildoers discover them. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2019
Make application usability a priority -- wherever testing occurs
Testers don't have time to fully evaluate apps before deployment. But poor-quality code simply isn't an option. Enter shift right and APM, two tasks testers must be ready to accept. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Mar 2019
Secure open source components to bypass breaches
As enterprises increasingly turn to open source code to cut dev efforts and costs, IT industry vendors recommend that they secure dependencies and deploy patches to safeguard apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Mar 2019
Undertake software dependency management to reduce conflicts
Apps can bind to dependencies with various levels of interconnectedness -- sometimes to deleterious effect. Here's how to approach software dependency management and reduction. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2019
Atlassian, AgileCraft join to scale Agile development
With its acquisition of AgileCraft, Atlassian aims to help developers work better together, but also scale their Agile practices across an entire enterprise. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Mar 2019
How to deprecate software features without bothering users
There's more to software deprecation than it seems. Organizations must consider the method of deprecation, how to inform users and what alternatives they should offer. Continue Reading
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Podcast
18 Mar 2019
Author, QA expert extols continuous testing virtues
Long tests and isolated QA grind app delivery to a crawl. In this episode of 'Test & Release,' author Eran Kinsbruner explains how DevOps cannot exist without continuous testing. Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2019
Microsoft, Deque open up accessibility software tools
Microsoft will release the source code to its core accessibility software testing tools and join forces with Deque to help developers find and fix accessibility issues. Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2019
Automate, customize CI/CD pipelines with Bitbucket Pipes
Atlassian's new Bitbucket Pipes helps developers automate and customize DevOps pipelines to boost developer productivity. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2019
How to implement a winning interoperability testing strategy
From security to data transfers, network complexity and testing environments, development teams have a lot to address to perform effective interoperability tests. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2019
Compare trunk-based development to feature-based approaches
The repo-centric trunk-based development model can be a good fit for teams adept enough to maintain a codebase. But it means taking the road less traveled. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Mar 2019
Software testing using AI changes things, but not everything
Will artificial intelligence eliminate the need for human expertise in software testing? Here's where things are headed. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2019
Study up on the best certifications for testing professionals
Before you invest time into a certification course, decide if you want to step into a new career or want recognition for hard-earned experience. Then, peruse the apt certification options. Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2019
DevOps consolidation continues with JFrog and Shippable
JFrog's acquisition of Shippable gives JFrog another arrow in its DevOps quiver and enables its customers to use an integrated DevOps platform that includes CI/CD. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Feb 2019
Move into better QA with shift left and shift right testing
App dev teams face pressure to deliver software frequently and to a high-quality standard. Make QA an ongoing and teamwide effort to achieve these sometimes contradictory goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2019
Hire testers with a mix of technical skills and hutzpah
There's a lot at stake when you hire a software tester -- and a lot to consider about the applicants. Matt Heusser shares how to evaluate capabilities and personalities. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Feb 2019
How the Agile paradigm saved app development
Traditional app-dev thinking can lead to modern-day failure. In this excerpt from Scrum -- A Pocket Guide, Gunther Verheyen explains why Agile is a must, not optional. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Feb 2019
Software resilience engineering helps teams quash chaos
What does a nuclear power plant or government team of epidemiologists have to teach software engineers? Quite a lot, if your aim is not just better apps, but more resilient ones. Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2019
GitHub security bug bounty program stretches to enterprise cloud
GitHub's bug bounty program for 2019 increases the reward money for researchers who find security vulnerabilities in the company's code. Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2019
TensorFlow.js brings machine learning to JavaScript
Google has delivered a version of its TensorFlow machine learning library to support JavaScript developers, and the technology has proved to be a hit with users. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2019
Automate tests with attention to UI, rapid feedback and more
If your app-dev group just can't seem to get automated tests right, you're not alone. Here's how to implement an effective test automation strategy, one piece at a time. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Feb 2019
Concourse vs. Drone: Pick a CI/CD tool that fits your team
For CI/CD, a software team should weigh how well a tool fits into its existing practices. Drone and Concourse each highlight ease of use and pipeline features. Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2019
Mendix deepens native integration with IBM Cloud, Watson AI
IBM cloud users gain low-code options, as Mendix's re-engineered platform natively integrates with IBM Cloud services, particularly Watson AI and Kubernetes container orchestration. Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2019
IBM renews code challenge to stress-test open source projects
IBM's Code and Response challenge builds on last year's Call for Code to apply open source development efforts to actual natural disasters. Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2019
Ionic 4 taps Web Components for mobile app development
Ionic 4, a rebuilt version of Ionic's web and mobile development platform, conforms to the Web Components standard and expands support to all popular JavaScript frameworks. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Feb 2019
Monitor APIs with these metrics for smooth app integrations
What user information do you pull in from APIs? Do you even know how well they perform? Dev teams should track these metrics to create and maintain smooth API communication. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2019
Evaluate load testing tool features and vendors
Application load testing products come in a variety of forms and their features vary. Read through these specs to find the tool that's right for you. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Feb 2019
How to use Jira as a test management tool
While Atlassian Jira is a common tool to manage software projects, Amy Reichert's team uses it to manage tests. She details snags you might encounter with test cases and management. Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Feb 2019
3 ways to test in production promptly and productively
As much as Agile and DevOps changed development, they also shifted testers' roles -- to the right. Gerie Owen offers three ways to evaluate apps in production to find failures. Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2019
Kite boosts Python code completion with machine learning
Software development tools startup Kite applies machine learning models to help developers automate the process of completing lines of code in real time. Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2019
IBM, CTA: Apprenticeships key to bridging IT skills gap
Apprenticeships might help to cut the shortage of skilled IT workers and help companies keep pace with demands for new apps and services for their employees and customers. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Feb 2019
Get to know the version control process
Distributed version control systems use is on the rise, particularly because they aid in collaborative development. Learn the basics of version control to get started. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2019
6 ways to tighten Agile feedback loops
Software bugs are inevitable, but quality improves when you find defects sooner rather than later. Adopt these measures to cut down lengthy and expensive software feedback loops. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2019
How to document software requirements without hating your job
Software requirements specifications explain, in painstaking detail, what is expected of a project. So, why develop without one? It's not worth the risk. Read why an SRS is vital. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jan 2019
Use shift-right testing to cut skepticism, deployment delays
Production environments are the final frontier for bug hunters. So, embrace -- don't eschew -- shift-right testing. It has the potential to enhance software quality for users. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2019
GitHub Enterprise upgrade eases team development
Enhancements to GitHub Enterprise help enterprise developers schedule, automate and administrate tasks, as the company adjusts course under Microsoft's watch. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
23 Jan 2019
Pick up CI/CD, version control in this Azure DevOps tutorial
Microsoft's rebranded Azure DevOps helps teams take a software project from start to finish. Walk through the service's components, from project planning to pipelines and testing. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jan 2019
How to write and structure worthwhile SRS documentation
Software projects contain many moving parts, and a miscommunication can derail them easily. Keep everyone on the same page with clear and exhaustive requirements specifications. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Jan 2019
What to look for in application load testing tools
Load testing tools help ensure an app is ready for prime time. But, with so many tools on the market, buyers must closely examine the products' features and their own environments. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jan 2019
Why human instinct causes mistakes in project management
Project management isn't brain surgery, but it involves brain chemistry. A testing expert discusses how we instinctively value gains and losses and how it leads to bad decisions. Continue Reading