Re: Ariane 5 Failure - Summary Report

["Theodore E. Dennison" <dennison@escmail.orl.mmc.com>]

Ken Garlington wrote:
> 
> ++ robin wrote:
> 
> >    An error-handler for overflow should have been included,
> > but should have returned control directly to the program
> > (this only as an emergency resort).  The code should have
> > included a check for data out of range (or better, storage
> > of adequate size.)
> 
> I agree with the second part. However, it's not clear that returning
> to the program would have helped. This is one area in which I think
> the final report is too optimistic. It suggests that the correct
> response to the exception was to provide the "best data available."
> That might be possible, but in general it's a tricky business.
> 

I'm glad to see that I wasn't the only one bothered by that suggestion.
The thought of a missle cruising around randomly based on "best data
available" from a faulty computer is frankly a little scary.

Perhaps the commision is hoping that the next missile blows up EuroDisney.
:-)

-- 
T.E.D.          
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