To Test or Not to Test the Software

A Case Study on Ethics in Computing

By Junaid Ahmed Zubairi

Abstract

In 1991, faulty computer instructions caused a massive shutdown of phone systems in several major cities in the U.S., including Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The instructions were part of a revised version of software that was not tested fully because the changes were considered too small. Developed as part of the ethics module for a computer science course for non-majors, this case emphasizes good software development techniques, including full compliance with the rules.

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Date Posted

07/22/2002

Overview

Objectives

To teach students good software development techniques.
To make students aware that deviations from the rules can lead to disasters, especially in software that impacts on human life

Keywords

Ethics in computing; socially responsible computing; software development; software failure; systems failure

Subject Headings

Computer Science

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Ethics, Social issues

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Discussion, Role-Play