Research Report: Modeling the Incidence of Postrelease Errors in Software.

Author List: Westland, J. Christopher;
Information Systems Research, 2000, Volume 11, Issue 3, Page 320.
Error search and correction are major contributors to software development cost, yet typically uncover only a small fraction of software errors. Postrelease errors, i.e., those that are only observed after a system is released, threaten a variety of potential failures and consequences, each with low individual probability of occurrence. The combined effect of postrelease errors can and often does result in a significant rate of occurrence of these potential failures, with unpredictable consequences and severity. One particular source of postrelease errors that has received extensive publicity is the year 2000, or Y2K, error. The modeling in this research report suggests that testing probably needs to be conducted over more than half of the useful life of a system in order to discover even one-third of the total errors in the system. It suggests that short product lifecycles, lifetime testing, and effective feedback loops for error reporting are necessary to assure reliable software.
Keywords: Economics of Information Technology; Software Errors and Reliability
Algorithm:

List of Topics

#96 0.349 errors error construction testing spreadsheet recovery phase spreadsheets number failures inspection better studies modules rate replicated detection correction optimal discovering
#232 0.145 software development product functionality period upgrade sampling examines extent suggests factors considered useful uncertainty previous called complementarities greater cost present
#155 0.112 technology research information individual context acceptance use technologies suggests need better personality factors new traits telemedicine adoption examined does management
#226 0.112 models linear heterogeneity path nonlinear forecasting unobserved alternative modeling methods different dependence paths efficient distribution probabilities demonstrate observed heterogeneous probability
#55 0.093 attributes credibility wikis tools wiki potential consequences gis potentially expectancy shaping exploring related anonymous attribute employing life comment comments 2.0
#279 0.067 field work changes new years time change major period year end use past early century half traditional areas established strong