This is the key. Designers do not understand impact of the complexity
that emerges from combining relatively simple components. This is
especially amplified in real-time processing of multiple inputs.
In a completely different field (packet switching from millions of end
points) we had to design separate monitoring system because it was
impossible to understand what our own system is doing in real time. The
monitoring code was almost as complex as the switching code. We are
talking less than 100K lines each.
Airline modules are in millions of code lines. My assessment is that
human life should not depend on anything with more than 50K lines of
code total, period. Anyone claiming that there are proper testing
procedures for huge systems is either a liar on an idiot. Enterprise
software contractors are often both. The general public has no slightest
idea of the dismal state of the software development industry.
Sarter said, “We now have this systemic problem with complexity, and it
does not involve just one manufacturer.
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