[OSLC-Metrics] http://www.computer.org/portal/web/swebok/html/ch5

[Arthur Ryman]

1.1.2. Faults vs. Failures [Jor02:c2; Lyu96:c2s2.2; Per95:c1; Pfl01:c8] 
(IEEE610.12-90; IEEE982.1-88)

Many terms are used in the software engineering literature to describe a 
malfunction, notably fault, failure, error, and several others. This 
terminology is precisely defined in IEEE Standard 610.12-1990, Standard 
Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology (IEEE610-90), and is also 
discussed in the Software Quality KA. It is essential to clearly 
distinguish between the cause of a malfunction, for which the term fault 
or defect will be used here, and an undesired effect observed in the 
system?s delivered service, which will be called a failure. Testing can 
reveal failures, but it is the faults that can and must be removed.


Arthur Ryman, IBM DE
Chief Architect, Rational Project and Portfolio Management
Office: 905-413-3077, Cell: 416-939-5063
Assistant: Nancy Barnes, 905-413-4182 
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