Safeware: system safety and computers, Nancy Leveson,
Addison-Wesley, Reading MA, 1995. (680 pages+). This book puts software
safety into the context of traditional industrial safety engineering, which the
author contends can teach many lessons that software practitioners need to
learn. It also prescribes the elements of a safety-critical software program
including analyses, design, and verification. Details
available. (dependability, safety, software, humans; requirements, design)
RTCA/DO-178B: Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment
Certification, Document, SC-167/Eurocae WG-12, RTCA, Washington DC, 1992.
(85 pages+) This document, often referred to as "DO-178B" provides
guidance for software planning, development, verification, configuration
management, quality assurance, certification, and maintenance. It is used to
guide development for flight-critical software for commercial aviation. Details available. (safety, software, design,
manufacturing; dependability, requirements, deployment, logistics)
Safety-Critical Computer Systems, Neil Storey, Addison-Wesley,
Harlow England, 1996. (453+ pages). This is arguably the most comprehensive
book available in the area of robust embedded system design. It is written in
an introductory textbook style, and is an excellent starting point for an
engineer trying to understand the multi-disciplinary technical issues involved
with safety-critical systems. Details
available. (dependability, safety, electronic hardware, software, design;
requirements)
Papers:
Software:
Data:
Internet Resources:
Ariane
5 Failure report This documents the role of a system robustness problem
in causing the loss of Ariane 5 flight 501 (the inaugural flight of an unmanned
heavy lift rocket). A personal
interpretation of what this means to system robustness is available.
(safety, dependability, software, design; affordability)