A Methodology for Testing Spreadsheet Grids

Résumé du livre

Although there has been research into ways to design spreadsheet systems to improve the processes of creating new spreadsheets and of understanding existing ones, little attention has been given to helping users of these environments test their spreadsheets. To help address this need, we introduce two visual approaches to testing large grids in spreadsheet systems. The first approach is a straightforward extension of a visual testing methodology we previously developed for individual cells (and hence is termed the Straightforward approach), and serves as a useful baseline with which to compare the second approach. The second approach, termed the Region Representative approach, contributes scalability by overcoming the inefficiency of the Straightforward approach. Prototypes of both approaches have been tightly integrated into Forms/3, a research spreadsheet language, and communication with the user happens solely through the use of checkbox devices and coloring mechanisms. The intent of this work is to bring to end users at least some of the benefits of formalized notions of testing, without requiring knowledge of testing beyond a naive level.