CHAPTER 8 - Software Issues: Risks and Liabilities

Software

computer programs made up of a logical sequence of commands to perform a task.

Producer (developer)

The software ________ creates computer programs to meet either general or specific needs of the consumer

buyer

gets the benefits of a computer program to solve a specific task/problem.

Producers, consumers

Whenever there is a software there are _________ and _________.

user expectations, developer limits

There is, therefore, a relationship between software producers and users made up of: ____ ____________ and _________ ______

Standards

universally accepted level of confidence

Standards

must be agreed on for a healthy relationship. Establishing accepted quality and performance _________ for software.

Benchmarks

must be agreed on for a healthy relationship. Ensuring that software meets *reliability, security, and usability* __________.

Frameworks

must be agreed on for a healthy relationship. Following recognized __________ (e.g., ISO/IEC, IEEE standards)

Development testing

1 of the 2 aspects where software standards depend on. the process of checking software *during development* to detect and fix errors early.

Verification and Validation

1 of the 2 aspects where software standards depend on. processes used to ensure the software *meets specifications and user needs*.

IEEE 829

standard that defines how to *write and maintain test documentation*.

ISO/IEC 12207

standard that defines the *processes involved* in the software life cycle.

Software reliability

does not depend on age and wear and tear like hardware

Software reliability

is the probability that the software does not encounter an input sequence resulting into failure.

Human factors, Nature of software

2 factors that contribute to software failures

Safety critical systems

these are software systems with real-time control components that can have a direct life-threatening impact

Nuclear reactors, missile systems, aircraft and air control systems

3 examples of critical systems (NMA)

The Indian Union Carbide - Bhopal

what incident released methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from a pesticide plant in Madhya Pradesh, India, and is considered the world's worst industrial disaster

December 2-3, 1984

what date did the Bhopal gas leak occur

15,000 to 25,000

what range of total deaths is commonly estimated over the following years from gas-related illness in the bhopal gas leak

About 500,000+

how many people were exposed to the gas during the bhopal gas leak

$470 million

how much Union Carbide paid in the 1989 settlement with the Government of India

Therac-25

what computer-controlled radiation therapy machine massively overdosed patients due to software flaws

1985-1987

what years did the six known Therac-25 overdose accidents occur

June 1985

when did the first known Therac-25 overdose occur, at Kennestone Regional Oncology Center in Marietta, Georgia

6

how many known massive radiation overdoses involved the Therac-25

Race condition

what software bug let fast operator edits cause a mismatch between the machine's settings and its hardware, which happened in the Tyler, Texas accidents of Therac-25

Replacement, refunds, updates

under consumer protection and the law, what are the three buyer's rights? (RRU)

Product, service, mix

under consumer protection and the law, we understand software complexity, with "software as" what 3 types? (PSM)

Contract, tort

2 consumer protection tools

Contract

consumer protection tool used with products. Covers warranties, obligations, and promises.

*Express warranties

*Implied warranties

*Third-party beneficiary

*Breach of contract - lack of compliance

Express warranties, Implied warranties, Third-party beneficiary, Breach of contract

4 elements of contract within the context of consumer protection tool (EITB)

Tort

consumer protection tool used with services. Covers harm due to negligent actions.

*Intentional

*Unintentional

Intentional, unintentional

2 categories of tort

Negligence, malpractice, strict liability, misrepresentation

4 types of tort (NMSM)

Negligence

type of tort. Carelessness or lack of skill

Malpractice

type of tort. Professional negligence

Strict Liability

type of tort. Responsible even without fault

Misrepresentation

type of tort. False or misleading statements

Quality

The safety and reliability of a software product defines the _______ of that software

Development cycle

Software quality can only be improved during the ___________ _____

Final review, Walk-throughs, Inspection, Phased-inspection

4 techniques done during the software development phase that can improve software quality (FWIP)

Final review

Software quality improvement technique. Overall evaluation before release. Goal is to ensure readiness

Walkthrough

Software quality improvement technique. Informal peer presentation and feedback. Goal is to improve design and understanding

Inspection

Software quality improvement technique. Formal error checking by peers. Goal is to find defects early.

Phased-inspection

Software quality improvement technique. Review at each phase of development. Goal is continuous quality assurance

Piracy, illegal copying/downloading, fraudulent lawsuits

under producer protections and the law, what 3 acts/offenses do producers have protection against? (PIF)

Courts

under producer protections and the law, where do producers seek protection from?

Piracy

type of offense against producers. Unauthorized *copying or use*. Legal safeguards include product licensing and RA 8293

Illegal copying/downloading

type of offense against producers. *copying or distributing* copyrighted software. Legal safeguards include copyright enforcement.

Fraudulent lawsuits

type of offense against producers. False or baseless claims by customers. Legal safeguards include user agreements and disclaimers