Abstract

Safety-critical systems require the utmost care in their specification and design to avoid errors in their implementation, using state of the art techniques in a responsible manner. To do otherwise is at best unprofessional and at worst can lead to disastrous consequences. An inappropriate approach could lead to loss of life, and will almost certainly result in financial penalties in the long run, whether because of loss of business or because of the imposition of fines. Legislation and standards impose external pressures, but education and ethical considerations should help provide more self-imposed guidelines for all those involved in the production of safety-critical systems. This paper considers some of the issues involved, with pointers to material providing greater depth in particular areas, especially with respect to the use of formal methods.

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