US-RSE Software Testing Talk Series

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The Testing working group is happy to introduce a new Talk Series on Software Testing on Wednesday May 21, 2-3 PM EDT. Title: “Software Testing for Fisheries Integrated Modeling System: strategies, challenges, and opportunities.” Presenter: Bai Li

Abstract

While creating perfect software may not be possible, it is essential to test software before its release to reduce the risk of mistakes that negatively impact users. High-quality software testing is crucial for ensuring the reliability, reproducibility, and long-term usability of research software. This presentation highlights the testing framework designed for the Fisheries Integrated Modeling System (FIMS), which is a next-generation framework for assessing the status of living marine resources and providing management advice. I will provide an overview of the testing strategies currently implemented in FIMS, including unit testing and integration testing in C++ and R, as well as testing using case studies. I will also present testing schedules and continuous integration tools that support both development and project management workflows, along with a demo of practices relevant to the testing of research software. The presentation will address challenges we have encountered and are currently facing, such as balancing rapid prototyping with rigorous testing, prioritizing test activities to meet project goals without exhaustive testing, and setting meaningful acceptance criteria, including tolerance levels for testing statistical software. Finally, I will discuss potential opportunities to strengthen the testing culture and improve testing suites. I welcome feedback on building more robust and maintainable research software.

Biography

Bai Li is a contractor with ECS Federal LLC, supporting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Science and Technology. She is currently involved in the development of the Fisheries Integrated Modeling System, with a focus on testing and the R-based user interface. She also leads a research project aimed at incorporating interdisciplinary data into traditional fisheries stock assessments. Bai Li holds a B.S. in Marine Resources from Shanghai Ocean University, a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Maine, and a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of Maine. She joined NOAA’s National Stock Assessment Program within the Office of Science and Technology in 2019 as a National Research Council Research Associate. In 2020, she transitioned to her current role as a stock assessment modeling contractor. She lives in Northern Virginia and enjoys hiking and camping in her free time.

Registration details

To register follow this link: Testing Talk Series Registration