Software Reliability

Software has become a important and critical element of our lives in the information age. Any device, gadget, service we use today is dependent on the reliability of software. We do see major and minor glitches because of software failures. Even though software has become quintessential, its reliability has not. In a recent glitch which could have been catastrophic, the US Air Force would have faced one of the most serious accidents primarily due to software failure.
Interesting read and a awakening call.

"The new US stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor, was deployed for the first time to Asia earlier this month. On Feb. 11, twelve Raptors flying from Hawaii to Japan were forced to turn back when a software glitch crashed all of the F-22s' on-board computers as they crossed the international date line. The delay in arrival in Japan was previously reported, with rumors of problems with the software. CNN television, however, this morning reported that every fighter completely lost all navigation and communications when they crossed the international date line. They reportedly had to turn around and follow their tankers by visual contact back to Hawaii. According to the CNN story, if they had not been with their tankers, or the weather had been bad, this would have been serious.

http://www.dailytech.com/Lockheeds+F22+Raptor+Gets+Zapped+by+International+Date+Line/article6225.html