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Published in:
2013 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Software Issues: Risks and Liabilities
Author : Joseph Migga Kizza
Published in: Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age
Publisher: Springer London
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This chapter focuses on the issues that arise out of the relationship between software developer and the buyer, including claims, user expectations, and the legal ramifications that may follow an unhealthy relationship. The discussion touches on standards, reliability, security, safety, quality of software, quality of service of software products, causes of software failures, developer and buyer protection, and techniques for improving software quality. Causes of software failures or poor performance of a software product are discussed attributing the causes to a variety of reasons but most notably human error, the nature of software itself, and the environment in which software is produced and used. Finally historic examples of software-caused accidents are given including the Therac–25, the Space Shuttle Challenger, the Indian Bhopal chemical accident, and the Chernobyl nuclear power accident. Both consumer protection and techniques for improving software quality are also discussed.