A hard look at software reliability: as electronics permeate the car, software reliability takes on paramount importance. Industry organizations and tool vendors are acting to help engineers ensure the quality of code that can have life-or-death implications.(GLOBAL REPORT: AUTOMOTIVE)

EDN, June, 2005 by Prophet, Graham

When electronics control mechanical systems, vehicle builders must ensure that all systems perform flawlessly. With increasing software complexity, error-free software assumes importance equal to defect-free hardware. As vehicle manufacturers add more and more systems, they must ensure not only that each individual system operates correctly, but also that the various subsystems interact properly.

Software flaws can lead to tragic human consequences, as well as to crippling after-sales costs if corrections become necessary. Just last year, for example, Jaguar had to recall nearly 68,000 vehicles in North America, Europe, and Japan due to a system failure that could inadvertently select reverse gear if the controller detected a major loss of transmission-oil...