Self-identifying software

The self-identifying software (SIDS) concept, which has reduced software maintenance costs by greatly reducing the time required to determine the revision level of the software being diagnosed, is described. The SIDS (revision) elements can easily be controlled by an automated software configuration manager if a large number of software modules are involved. Implementation of SIDS does require additional execution-time memory. Smaller, nonvirtual machines must pursue alternatives, such as establishing revision attributes. The most important benefit derived from SIDS implementation, though, is the increased customer satisfaction that has resulted