Re: Faulty languages and Liability

[John Kern <jkern3@NOSPAM.visteon.com>]

Larry Kilgallen wrote:

> In a real court case, issues of compiler validation would likely not
> have any bearing unless it can be shown the compiler in question made
> an error that would have been caught by a validated compiler.


I once heard from one of my professors that they preferred to take
testimony from only engineers certified Professional Engineers.  If I
were on a jury and someone told me that they used a "Validated"
compiler, I think I would think more highly of it than otherwise, even
if I didn't know what it meant.

Wouldn't your argument also hold that if a language in question allowed
an error that would have been caught by another language?

If a field of endeavor establishes an industry "best practice" say for
eliminating errors in embedded software, (say MISRA C coding standards),
I think a supplier is at risk for deviating.  If we could only prove
that Ada programs are intrinsically safer than C programs.