Mario R. Garzia

Reliability Assessment of Mass-Market Software: Insights from Windows Vista®

Assessing the reliability of mass-market software (MMS), such as the Windowsreg operating system, presents many challenges. In this paper, we share insights gained from the Windows Vistareg and Windows Vistareg SP1 operating systems. First, we find that the automated reliability monitoring approach, which periodically reports reliability status, provides higher quality data and requires less effort compared to other approaches available today. We describe one instance in detail: the Windows reliability analysis component, and illustrate its advantages using data from Windows Vista. Second, we show the need to account for usage scenarios during reliability assessments. For pre-release versions of Windows Vista and Vista SP1, usage scenarios differ by 2-4X for Microsoft internal and external samples; corresponding reliability assessments differ by 2-3X. Our results help motivate and guide further research in reliability assessment.

How should software reliability engineering (SRE) be taught

This article on teaching software reliability engineering (SRE) represents a consensus of views of experienced software reliability engineering leaders from diverse backgrounds but with ties to education: directors of software reliability and software reliability training in industry, a consultant who teaches SRE practice to industry, and university professors. The first topic covered is how to attract participants to SRE courses. We then analyze the job-related educational needs of current and future (those now university students) software practitioners, SRE practitioners, researchers, and nonsoftware professionals. Special needs relating to backgrounds, limited proficiency in the course language, and work conflicts are outlined. We discuss how the needs presented should influence course content and structure, teaching methods, and teaching materials. Finally, we cover our experiences with distance learning and its special needs. Some of this article applies to any course and is not SRE-specific.

Software development SRE needs

Todays software development environment requires tools and techniques for accurate, efficient evaluation of product reliability. To be successful, SRE must address the common, yet complex issues facing companies when assessing their products reliability, such as the large number of customer usage scenarios, limited reliability evaluation times, and comparisons with competing products