[SystemSafety] Logic

[Heath Raftery]

On 19/02/2014 11:28 PM, Michael J. Pont wrote:
> It may - of course - be that the organisations I have closest contact with
> are atypical: they are, after all, a self-selecting group.  However, while
> I'm sure that there are many organisations that have mature processes in
> place for the development of real-time embedded systems, I'm equally sure
> that this isn't the norm.
>
> If we assume - for the moment - that my model is correct, how do we ensure
> that the situation is different in 10 years time?

Great points. I'd suggest that changes to education focus, while very 
important, wont be the necessary trigger. There needs to be a market 
force. The scenario that plays out in my world goes like this:

1. Customer C requests doodad D to solve problem P.
2. Engineer A says right, no problem, we just need to articulate the 
requirements and capture them in an unambiguous way. Formal methods can 
help, I'll show you the way.
3. Engineer B says, no problem, in fact here's a prototype I whipped up. 
We're almost there.

Engineer A studied embedded development at an excellent facility and has 
sound knowledge of formal methods.

Engineer B taught herself programming and has been writing code since 
before she could drive.

4. A's manager asks how D is coming along and A says fine, we're working 
through the requirements.
5. B's manager asks how D is coming along and B says fine, look I've got 
the LEDs flashing and the relays clicking.

Guess which engineer gets rewarded?