Validity of Execution-Time Theory of Software Reliability

TLDR

The execution‑time theory of software reliability is defined with its assumptions, mathematical relationships, and contextualized by describing the development projects and operational computation center software from which data were drawn. The study investigates the validity of the execution‑time theory of software reliability and examines its key assumptions. The authors describe the execution‑time and calendar‑time components of the theory and employ actual data to test most of its assumptions. Comparison of the model with actual behavior indicates the theory’s predictions align with observed data.

Abstract

This paper investigates the validity of the execution-time theory of software reliability. The theory is outlined, along with appropriate background, definitions, assumptions, and mathematical relationships. Both the execution time and calendar time components are described. The important assumptions are discussed. Actual data are used to test the validity of most of the assumptions. Model and actual behavior are compared. The development projects and operational computation center software from which the data have been obtained are characterized to give the reader some basis for judging the breadth of applicability of the concepts.