Software Issues: Risks and Liabilities BU 1173

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Questions and Answers

What is software?

A set of computer programs made up of a sequence of short commands (correct)

A software engineer working on computer programming

A physical component of a computer

A type of hardware used for data storage

Where is software stored in ROM form?

In the computer’s more permanent memory (correct)

In the computer’s less volatile memory

In the computer's external storage devices

Loaded on demand during runtime

Who are software producers?

Individuals working alone or companies like Microsoft (correct)

Customers who obtain finished software

Hardware manufacturers

Software standards organizations

How do software buyers make their decisions?

Based on developer claims Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do buyers face when disputing software developer claims about product quality?

No universally accepted measure of software standards Signup and view all the answers

What are some universal basic standards that a software product must meet?

Mutually agreed upon criteria and expectations of the buyer Signup and view all the answers

What legal right does a buyer have if a product does not meet the standards imposed by law?

To pursue legal action against the seller Signup and view all the answers

Which type of intellectual property right is commonly used to protect the implementation of software ideas into actual use?

Copyrights Signup and view all the answers

In software development, what is the purpose of development testing?

To conduct random tests on the software during development Signup and view all the answers

What does the reliability of software refer to?

The software's ability to function on unpredictable input sequences Signup and view all the answers

Which component of risk assessment and management involves static formal mathematical techniques like proof of correctness?

Verification and validation (V&V) Signup and view all the answers

What makes a software product reliable?

When it functions correctly on unpredictable inputs Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes unsafe software systems according to the text?

They create conditions that lead to accidents or risks Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential factor for determining the quality of a software product according to the text?

Its excellence in standards, security, and dependability Signup and view all the answers

What does poor software performance often result from according to the text?

Memory lapses, rush to finish, and overconfidence Signup and view all the answers

What factor makes software programming difficult according to the text?

The billions of possible outcomes on the same input sequence Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Software Definition and Types

Software is a set of computer programs consisting of a sequence of short commands called instructions that tell the computer what to do.
Software can be classified into two forms: ROM (read-only memory) and RAM (random access memory).

Software Producers and Buyers

A software producer, or developer, creates programs to meet user specifications or solve a specific problem.
Software buyers obtain finished software from developers to satisfy their needs, basing their decision on developer claims.

Software Standards and Liability

Software developers must ensure their products meet high quality standards, which are mutually agreed upon criteria and expectations of the buyer.
Buyers have the right to pursue legal action if the product does not meet these standards.

Intellectual Property Rights for Software

Copyright laws protect software, but patents are usually not suitable for software.
Trademarks are not an effective way to protect computer programs, but can be used for company branding.
Trade secrets are effective in protecting software concepts.

Software Security

Computer software stores vital information and security depends on hardware security.
A security breach is any incident that results in unauthorized access to data, applications, services, networks, or devices.

Risk Assessment and Management

System managers need to assess potential risks during software design and use phases.
Risk assessment involves two key components: assessment and control, which must be evaluated and documented.

Glitches, Flaws, and Weaknesses

Identifying and predicting system vulnerabilities is crucial in assessing risk, but challenging due to advancing technology.

Standards in Software Development

Software developers must convey high-quality products to buyers.
Development testing, verification, and validation are crucial in ensuring software quality.

Reliability, Security, and Safety

Reliability is the probability that software does not encounter an input sequence leading to failure.
Software security is integral to a computer system and depends on hardware and software components.
A software system is unsafe if it creates a condition leading to an accident, hazard, or risk.

Quality and Human Factors

A software product has quality if it maintains excellence in standards, security, safety, and dependability.
Human factors, such as memory lapses and overconfidence, can contribute to poor software performance.
The nature of software programming presents billions of possible outcomes, making testing and error-prone.

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Description

Learn about software, a set of computer programs made up of short commands that tell the computer what to do. Explore the different forms of software, such as ROM and RAM, and understand the role of a software producer in developing programs.