3 ms·

"Look at your bug database. Multiply that by the complexity of not only an airliner, but the huge and complex system in which it operates." And take the n-root

by Kurtz79 13y ago

"Look at your bug database. Multiply that by the complexity of not only an airliner, but the huge and complex system in which it operates." And take the n-root of the total based on the number of quality checks every minimal part of that software has been through before even being tried on a real plane, not considering the ones before it went into service. Seriously, you really think the software for an airliner is written in Ruby+Javascript and the developers use a cloud-based bug tracking app? I work on systems used in public trasportation that are NOT safety-critical and the number of tests, checks and counterchecks they have to go through before being approved for service is soul crushing. I'm pretty sure that the total count of in the bug database of any airline software currently in service basically amounts to zero.

a3n 13y ago
"Seriously, you really think the software for an airliner is written in Ruby+Javascript and the developers use a cloud-based bug tracking app?" No. The point was to reflect on the nature of software and complexity. I doubt if bug counts are near zero. EDIT: And undiscovered bugs are definitely not zero.
omni 13y ago
> the number of tests, checks and counterchecks they have to go through before being approved for service is soul crushing. > I'm pretty sure that the total count of in the bug database of any airline software currently in service basically amounts to zero. The military, NASA, and a bunch of other critical organizations really wish that what you were saying was true. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_software_bugs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_software_bugs
snom380 13y ago
That's pretty much the point. The safety required makes writing a complex, life critical system like this and getting it certified pretty much impossible with our current software methodologies. There's been quite a few software bugs in certified aviation software. One in the control system for ABS brakes caused a runway overrun, another in the Airbus fly by wire system caused an in flight upset with multiple head and spinal injuries.

by Kurtz79 13y ago

a3n 13y ago

"Seriously, you really think the software for an airliner is written in Ruby+Javascript and the developers use a cloud-based bug tracking app?" No. The point was to reflect on the nature of software and complexity. I doubt if bug counts are near zero. EDIT: And undiscovered bugs are definitely not zero.

omni 13y ago

> the number of tests, checks and counterchecks they have to go through before being approved for service is soul crushing. > I'm pretty sure that the total count of in the bug database of any airline software currently in service basically amounts to zero. The military, NASA, and a bunch of other critical organizations really wish that what you were saying was true. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_software_bugs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_software_bugs

snom380 13y ago

That's pretty much the point. The safety required makes writing a complex, life critical system like this and getting it certified pretty much impossible with our current software methodologies. There's been quite a few software bugs in certified aviation software. One in the control system for ABS brakes caused a runway overrun, another in the Airbus fly by wire system caused an in flight upset with multiple head and spinal injuries.