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Introduction to Software Development

Software development is critical in various sectors, from business systems to industrial

controls and consumer products. This field addresses functional needs and emphasizes
ethical and quality considerations. Software developers face challenges balancing cost,
timelines, and quality, often under extreme market pressure.

Key Questions:

1. Why is high-quality software essential across industries?

High-quality software is essential because it ensures efficient performance, safety,

and reliability, which are critical in sectors like business, industrial control, and
consumer products. Poor quality can lead to system failures, safety risks, and
financial losses, especially in high-stakes environments such as healthcare,
aerospace, and nuclear power.

2. What ethical issues arise when prioritizing time or budget over software
quality?

Ethical issues arise when companies prioritize time or cost over quality, potentially
endangering users. Developers may cut corners or skip quality checks to meet
deadlines or reduce costs, posing risks. Ethical dilemmas include deciding how much
effort and money to invest to ensure software meets safety and functionality
standards.

3. What are the common types of software liability claims?

The four main types of product liability claims in software are:

● Strict Liability: Holds the manufacturer liable for defects that cause harm,
irrespective of negligence.
● Negligence: Claims that the manufacturer failed to take reasonable precautions
during development.
● Breach of Warranty: Asserts that the product did not meet quality standards as
promised.
● Misrepresentation: Involves false or misleading claims about the product’s quality or
functionality.

2. Strategies for Engineering High-Quality Software

Importance of High-Quality Software:

● High-quality software should perform efficiently, operate safely, and meet user needs.
● Quality is crucial in sectors like air traffic control, healthcare, nuclear energy, and the
military, where system failures can have catastrophic consequences.
Impact of Software Defects:

● Defects may vary in severity, from minor inconveniences to critical failures affecting
safety and productivity.
● Software quality is defined by the extent to which a product meets user requirements
without defects.

Quality Management:

● Objective: Enhance software quality throughout development, minimizing defects.

● Deliverables: Quality management generates essential outputs, such as
requirements documents, flowcharts, and user manuals.

Causes of Poor Software Quality:

1. Developers may lack quality engineering training or be pressured to meet tight

deadlines.
2. Common mistake rate: Roughly one defect for every 7-10 lines of code.
3. The push for rapid market entry often leads to reduced resources and time for quality
assurance.

Ethical Dilemmas in Software Quality:

● Balancing cost and quality poses ethical questions. Companies may cut quality to
save costs or meet deadlines, which can endanger users.

Example: The Cincinnati Bell telephone switch failure during a time change highlights the
unforeseen consequences of changes in operational conditions. The unexpected surge in
calls overwhelmed the system, demonstrating the need for robust testing under varied
conditions.

3. The Importance of Software Quality

Role of Software in Business Information Systems:

● Business information systems combine hardware, software, databases, and networks

to collect and process data, enhancing decision-making.
● Examples: An order-processing system for manufacturers, an electronic-funds
transfer system for banks, and online reservation systems for airlines.

Software’s Critical Role in Industrial and Consumer Products:

● Mismanaged software can disrupt businesses or lead to safety risks, raising ethical
and legal concerns.
● Executives must consider the level of investment needed to ensure safety and
quality, as well as potential liabilities if defects cause harm.
4. Software Product Liability

Product Liability in Software:

● Definition: Liability of manufacturers or sellers for harm caused by defective

products.
● Software defects can lead to severe consequences, including injury or financial loss.

Examples of Liability Cases:

● Ford’s faulty fuel injector software in trucks led to an accident and a $7.5 million
punitive damage award.
● A Qantas flight accident in 2008, caused by an onboard software glitch, injured 46
passengers.

Types of Liability Claims:

1. Strict Liability: The manufacturer is liable if a product defect causes harm,

regardless of negligence.
○ Example: If software in medical equipment fails, causing injury, the
manufacturer may be held liable even if precautions were taken.
2. Negligence: Involves a failure to exercise reasonable care. Manufacturers are
expected to follow industry-standard development practices.
○ Defense: Companies may argue contributory negligence if a plaintiff’s actions
partly caused the issue.
3. Breach of Warranty: Claims that the product did not meet promised standards,
either implied or explicitly stated.
○ Challenge: Proving breach can be difficult, as suppliers often write warranties
that limit their liability.
4. Misrepresentation: Occurs if the seller knowingly provides false or misleading
product information.
○ Avoidance: Many software manufacturers use disclaimers to limit claims of
misrepresentation.

5. Software Development Process

Roles in Large Software Projects:

● System analysts, programmers, architects, database and documentation specialists,

project managers, trainers, and testers each play a role in developing complex
software projects.

Software Development Methodology:

● A methodology offers a structured, proven process to guide software development,

ensuring consistency and quality.
 ● Benefits: Defines roles, activities, and quality control measures at each development
stage, making it easier to prevent costly errors.

Cost of Early vs. Late Error Detection:

● Catching and correcting errors early saves costs, as resolving a defect after
distribution can be up to 100 times more expensive.
● Quality assurance (QA) during early development stages prevents major expenses
and potential legal issues.

Testing Types:

1. Dynamic Testing:
○ Black-box Testing: Focuses on software functionality without knowledge of
internal code.
○ White-box Testing: Examines code logic paths, ensuring each statement
executes at least once.
2. Static Testing:
○ Uses static analyzers to scan for potential defects in code.
3. Integration Testing:
○ Combines individual software units to ensure they work together seamlessly.
4. System Testing:
○ Tests the complete system, simulating real-world operations.
5. User Acceptance Testing:
○ Performed by end-users to confirm the system meets their expectations
before final release.

6. Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)

Purpose of CMMI:

● CMMI, developed by the Software Engineering Institute, improves process maturity in

software development.
● It outlines essential practices across five maturity levels to enhance software quality
and reliability.

Benefits of CMMI:

● Following CMMI guidelines enables companies to systematically assess and

enhance their development processes, leading to improved project outcomes.

7. Development of Safety-Critical Systems

Definition: Safety-critical systems are those where failure can lead to injury or death.
 ● Examples: Nuclear reactor controls, airplane navigation, and medical devices.

Challenges in Developing Safety-Critical Systems:

● Requires additional documentation, rigorous checks, and a dedicated project safety

engineer to monitor hazards.
● Safety reviews and configuration management track changes, ensuring that each
stage of development addresses potential risks.

Risk and Redundancy:

● Risk: Probability of failure multiplied by its consequences. In safety-critical systems,

reducing risk is paramount.
● Redundancy: Employing multiple components to perform the same function to
handle failures. Example: IBM’s use of N-version programming to prevent disk sector
failures.

Example: The USS Vincennes tragedy, where a radar interface error led to the downing of a
civilian airliner, underscores the critical role of intuitive and accurate interface design in
safety-critical systems.

8. Quality Management Standards

ISO 9001:

● A global standard for quality management, requiring organizations to document and

adhere to all procedures.
● Requirement: Organizations must show proof of compliance to be certified.

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA):

● FMEA is a proactive method used to detect potential design and process failures
early on.
● Example: LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson company, uses FMEA to ensure the
reliability of its blood glucose monitoring systems, used by millions daily.

9. Key Takeaways and Ethical Implications

Summary of Software Development Issues:

● In today's technology-driven world, high-quality software is increasingly critical.

Software product liability claims often involve strict liability, negligence, breach of
warranty, or misrepresentation.

Ethical Considerations:
 ● Developers and companies face ethical decisions, balancing costs, time to market,
and ease of use against quality and safety.

Safety in High-Stakes Software:

● Safety-critical software demands heightened development protocols to mitigate risks.

Redundant systems, risk assessments, and stringent QA measures help reduce
failure likelihood and severity.

Qs/Ans

How does CMMI benefit software development processes?

The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) guides organizations in improving software
quality by defining essential practices across five maturity levels. It enables companies to
deliver reliable software on time and within budget.
What is Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and why is it used?
FMEA is a technique for identifying potential design or process failures early on. It helps
prevent issues by evaluating failure impacts on safety, equipment, and customer satisfaction,
making it essential in quality management.
Why is user acceptance testing (UAT) important in software development?
User acceptance testing ensures that the software meets end-user expectations and
functions as intended before deployment. UAT is crucial for aligning the software with actual
user needs and reducing post-release issues.
What are the main benefits of using a software development methodology?
A structured methodology organizes the development process, defines roles, and
implements quality control. It reduces errors, saves costs by identifying defects early, and
ensures consistency across the project.
How does redundancy improve safety in critical systems?
Redundancy involves using backup components to maintain functionality in case of failure. It
ensures that even if one component fails, the system can continue to operate safely, as seen
in disaster response systems.
What is the role of the project safety engineer in safety-critical systems?
A project safety engineer is responsible for overseeing a project's safety from start to finish.
They use tools like hazard logs to track potential risks and ensure all safety requirements are
met during development.
Why is testing crucial at each stage of software development?
Testing at each stage—dynamic, static, integration, system, and user acceptance—identifies
and resolves defects early. This staged testing approach improves overall quality and
reduces long-term costs and risks.