Assuring software safety

The authors describe several system and design techniques to better assure the development of safe systems. Software safety, which constitutes the `brains´ of systems, is the primary focus. Software determines the system reaction to errant input conditions; when the software is not functioning correctly, it can cause the hardware to create a safety mishap. A professional and comprehensive technique for documenting and disclosing safety hazards to the system user is suggested. In the Department of Defense (DoD), this takes the form of an accident risk assessment, which is used to disclose customer risk and mitigate the contractor liability exposure