Course Overview

Many software failures could have been avoided using techniques we already know how to do but for some reason, do not use. One such area of significant measurable failure is inadvertent misuse of the programming language. C is particularly prone to this and a significant number of system failures can be traced to this in spite of the fact that a great deal is known on how to avoid such failures. In view of the prominence of C in consumer electronic system development today, this course presents a practical development philosophy based around the notion of safer subsets of C. Copious data is presented showing how real C systems fail, followed by detailed strategies to avoid these failures.

It is well-known that C has avoidable fault modes which have caused many systems to fail. This course teaches how to develop more reliable systems by the use of appropriate avoidance techniques.

You should attend this course if:

• You would like to improve your knowledge of known fault modes in C
• You would like a more rounded background in high-integrity and safety-critical system development.
• You develop consumer electronic systems

Course prerequisites

Some C programming experience is highly desirable, although a number of people have taken the course with very little such experience.