A Cross Platform Test Management System for the SUDAAN Statistical Software Package

Abstract

Testing software can be particularly challenging for a small or mid-size firm interested in commercially distributing their software to a wide variety of users. Testing is clearly an important part of any software development life cycle (SDLC) because it provides a method for the developers to verify and validate the software. However, testing can be expensive and time-consuming, and creating a testing strategy that ensures a software product is 100% bug-free is unrealistic and impossible. This paper discusses the methodologies used to address one component of software testing by a small group of developers (essentially equivalent to a small firm) responsible for programming and distributing the SUDAAN® Statistical Software product. In addition we discuss SUDAAN’s bug management system. Specifically, this paper discusses issues related to testing and debugging software on multiple platforms and operating systems.