Keywords
Citation
Howard, W.R. (2011), "Glitch: The Hidden Impact of Faulty Software", Kybernetes, Vol. 40 No. 1/2, pp. 340-340. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684921111118103
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
It is amazing how tolerant we are to errors in our software systems. Most of the systems we use in business are usually costly to maintain. We seem to forget that although such software systems are tested in a variety of ways they are not proven in the way mathematicians would expect a theorem to be. Whilst research continues in this direction, most software engineers are content to test their product over a given range of operations.
This book provides some recent examples of “glitches” and their consequences for the systems users. It is based on a programme of research carried out by the author and involved discussions with not only those who were users of the software but also analysts, software developers, academics, business and management executives. We are provided with details of the faulty systems and the way in which they occur. The author then helps us to benefit from his analysis by giving us, in his view, the best ways to avoid or reduce the impact on the business and the customer.
Some of the examples given of the recent system failures include some that have already been reported in the press at great length, such as the recall of Toyota vehicles and credit card processing systems that have produced “glitches”.
This is an interesting book to read but do not expect any in‐depth analysis of the IT issues raised although the recommendations on “best practices” are worth noting.