The role of software has changed from simply generating financial or mechanical data to monitoring and controlling equipment that directly affects human life and safety. As a result, academia industry and government demand a more thorough understanding and familiarity with the specialized techniques used to achieve and assess the safety and reliability.

Debra Herman introduces the concepts, techniques, and approaches necessary for software safety and reliability in today's environment. Focus is placed on the additional requirements necessary in current safety and reliability standards from various industrial sectors. Hermann organized the text with three objectives. In presenting everyday examples, she meets the first objective of raising the reader's awareness of the importance of software safety and reliability and its role in mission critical systems. The second is to provide practical information about the current methods used to achieve safety and reliability. Improving the understanding and practice of software safety and reliability through consolidation and analysis of current research for future use is Hermann's final objective.

The book is written for engineers, scientists, managers, regulators, and policy makers involved in the design, development, acquisition, and certification of safety-critical systems.