Better Software Articles

Case Your Own Joint

Hackers are going to probe your system looking for weak spots and holes. What will they find? Learn how to uncover your own security vulnerabilities before the bad guys do.

Getting to the Root of Software Security

Vendors try to protect their source code from would-be attackers, but it takes only one chink in the armor for a good reverse engineer to penetrate all the defenses so carefully put in place. Find out how to methodically uncover patterns to help you predict where the attacks will be focused and how they will be carried out.

Warning: Security Storm Brewing

For too long now, consumers have been bailing, patching, and plugging their software each time a new security hole is discovered. And they've been absorbing the damage done by the leaks. A wave of security-conscious buyers is rising, demanding software that is sound and secure by design. Are you ready to give it to them? Find out why you should be.

Is Your Haystack Missing a Needle?

Using manual testing to determine if your application is missing any files is worse than looking for a needle in a haystack: it's like trying to determine if your haystack is missing any needles! One tester tells the story of how some clever coding saved his project a good deal of time and quite a few headaches.

Between the Lines

Get the software engineering slant on items from the recent news.

Comparatively Speaking

Turn to The Last Word, where software professionals who care about quality give you their opinions on hot topics. This month, see why one practitioner believes there's no such thing as a best practice.

Rating Scheme = Disrupted Team

Need a place to go to get the solutions you've been craving? Management Fix is what you've been looking for. In this issue, find out how to manage when you're asked to grade on a curve.

Is That a Fact?

We're pleased to bring you technical editors who are well respected in their fields. Get their take on everything that relates to the industry, technically speaking. In this issue, read about the importance of recognizing inconvenient facts—and how finding a way to change them could be the key to success.

Walk into My Parlor

Just as a spider spins a web to capture her prey, testers weave an intricate net of ambiguity and conflict to catch program bugs. Find out how to use complex tests to expose program weaknesses and errors.

Passing the Baton

Stumble-free code and knowledge transfer requires a facilitated, structured process. Learn how to ease the transition from development to maintenance.