From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.4 (2020-01-24) on polar.synack.me X-Spam-Level: * X-Spam-Status: No, score=1.9 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_50,INVALID_DATE autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!orion.oac.uci.edu!cerritos.edu!arizona.edu!east.pima.edu!rharwood From: rharwood@east.pima.edu Newsgroups: comp.lang.ada Subject: Re: Yearly Fees for Support of Compiler Message-ID: <1991May8.230221.1@east.pima.edu> Date: 9 May 91 06:02:21 GMT References: <2222@ac17.cs.nps.navy.mil> <3050@cod.NOSC.MIL> List-Id: In article <3050@cod.NOSC.MIL>, sampson@cod.NOSC.MIL (Charles H. Sampson) writes: > Actually, computer software is one of the few places where no promises > of correctness are made, at least explicitly, as many people have noted. > ("This software is not warrantied at all. If it causes your house to burn > down, don't blame us.") Others have made similar and related statements, all (most?) of which are relevant. One problem with any software purchase: It's not like buying a car, where you KNOW it was running fine when you drove it off the lot, but quit running three blocks down the road (even after checking the fuel level!). As Mr Sampson continues, many users (yes, programmers become USERS when we're talking of compiler programs) can't recognize the difference between a "broken compiler" and a case of "not used for the purpose for which it was intended" (which VOIDS most appliance warranties!). Rechecking most of your appliance (a.k.a. "hardware") warranties, you'll find that most items are indeed warranteed against MANUFACTURING defects, but not against "neglect or intentional misuse". Frankly, most appliance manufacturers would rather give you a new product so they can get the old one back in the lab to figure out "what went wrong" and "how to fix/prevent it." Software makers don't need your old floppies to analyze compiler bugs. When will we "computer scientists" stop applying hardware rules to software? Only when software becomes as reliable and as comparatively cheap as the stuff on which it comes to life... {This posting is NOT a "flame"... just a poetic observation and comment".} ----- Ray Harwood |Data Basix |Associate Faculty, Voice: (602)721-1988 |PO Box 18324 | Pima Community College FAX: (602)721-7240 |Tucson, AZ 85731 |Instructor in Ada and Pascal CompuServe: 76645,1370|AppleLink: DATA.BASIX|Internet: rharwood@east.pima.edu