Quiz on Errors and Failure in Computing

What are the factors that cause system failures?

• Failure to keep information in databases up to date

• Insufficient testing

• Not planning and designing for unexpected inputs or circumstances

• Information up to date

What are the roles of a computer user in understanding the limitations of computer systems?

• Understand the limitations of computer systems and the need for proper training and responsible use

• Confusing user interfaces

• Data-entry errors

• Inadequate attention to potential safety risks

What is a technique important in systems on which lives and fortunes depend?

• Insufficient market or legal incentives to do a better job

• Misrepresentation, hiding problems; inadequate response to reported problems

• Redundancy and self-checking

• Failure to keep information in databases up to date

What is a practice called independent verification and validation useful for in software systems?

• Redundancy and self-checking

• Overconfidence in software by users

• Insufficient market or legal incentives to do a better job

• Testing and verification by an independent organization

What is a factor that can help avoid many problems in computer systems?

• Failure to keep information in databases up to date

• Well-designed user interfaces

• Insufficient market or legal incentives to do a better job

• Redundancy and self-checking

What is the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) used for?

• To detect potential in-air collisions of two airplanes and direct the pilots to avoid each other

• To monitor weather conditions for flights

• To manage traffic congestion on highways

• To control the speed of vehicles on the road

What is the term used for an organization that operates in difficult environments with complex technology and where failures can have extreme consequences?

• Redundancy and self-checking

• Professional licensing

• High-reliability organization (HRO)

• Independent verification and validation (IV&V)

What is a factor that can help increase reliability in computer systems?

• Insufficient market or legal incentives to do a better job

• Well-designed user interfaces

• Redundancy and self-checking

• Failure to keep information in databases up to date

Why is redundancy important in critical systems like nuclear power plants?

• To increase the complexity of the system

• To reduce costs in system maintenance

• To provide backup systems in case of failures

• To confuse operators with multiple options

Why is it important for software developers to follow coding standards?

• To make the code look visually appealing

• To confuse other developers

• To ensure consistency and maintainability of the code

• To slow down the development process