Assuring dependability of software reuse: An industrial standard

Abstract

Whereas a software component may be perfectly suited to one application, it may prove to cause severe faults in other applications. The prestandard IEC/PAS 62814 (Dependability of Software Products Containing Reusable Components – Guidance for Functionality and Tests), which has recently been released, addresses the functionality, testing, and dependability of software components to be reused and products that contain software to be used in more than one application; that is, reused by the same or by another development organization, regardless of whether it belongs to the same or another legal entity than the one that has developed this software. This paper introduces into this pre-standard and give hints how to use it. The author, who chaired its realization that started in 2006, briefly summarizes the difficult process to bring the industrial partners with controversial interests to a consensus.