Re:Worst Computer Bugs in History: Therac-25 (2017)
by _jal on Saturday August 11, 2018 @02:12PM
(#17740816)
Not the poster, but I think there are multiple paths of action encouraged by a code similar to other engineering disciplines[1].
More involvement of the legal and insurance industries are one of them. Another is to give software engineers something solid to brace themselves on when pushing back at management - completely aside from consequences for the company, if you're bonded or worry about a license, there are some things you won't let your manager sweet-talk you in to. Another is to provide a model of behavior for engineers, like it says on the tin. It doesn't mean everyone will, or even that the model is always absolutely correct. But giving folks a way to think about things when they feel something's off is a good thing.
Yet another is theoretically providing a baseline of competence. I think that depends more on improving informal culture than any formal mechanism, though.
[1] Note: not arguing in favor of one; I haven't made up my mind on what I think about the topic.
More involvement of the legal and insurance industries are one of them. Another is to give software engineers something solid to brace themselves on when pushing back at management - completely aside from consequences for the company, if you're bonded or worry about a license, there are some things you won't let your manager sweet-talk you in to. Another is to provide a model of behavior for engineers, like it says on the tin. It doesn't mean everyone will, or even that the model is always absolutely correct. But giving folks a way to think about things when they feel something's off is a good thing.
Yet another is theoretically providing a baseline of competence. I think that depends more on improving informal culture than any formal mechanism, though.
[1] Note: not arguing in favor of one; I haven't made up my mind on what I think about the topic.