Accession Number:

ADA455625

Title:

Dependability Cases

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIV PITTSBURGH PA SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INST

Personal Author(s):

• Weinstock, Charles B.
• Goodenough, John B.
• Hudak, John J.

Report Date:

2004-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

31.0

Abstract:

Many large software systems display fragility or a lack of dependability caused by inattention to details at various stages of development e.g., missing data, undocumented assumptions, lack of testing, resulting in a failure to catch errors. This technical note explains how to create a dependability case for a system that helps identify and keep track of such details. A dependability case is defined here as a structured argument providing evidence that a system meets its specified dependability requirements. This technical note describes how to structure the argument and present evidence to support it. A sample problem is presented, as well as issues raised by that problem and future goals.

Descriptors:

• *SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
• *PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING)
• *TRACKING
• *IDENTIFICATION
• *ERRORS
• *COMPUTER PROGRAM RELIABILITY
• *COMPUTER PROGRAM VERIFICATION
• REQUIREMENTS
• REASONING
• ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES
• SYNCHRONIZATION(ELECTRONICS)
• SAFETY
• CASE STUDIES
• AVAILABILITY
• VULNERABILITY
• SECURITY
• CLOCKS
• INTEROPERABILITY

Subject Categories:

• Computer Programming and Software
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Unmanned Spacecraft

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE