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From: adaworks@netcom.com (AdaWorks)
Subject: Re: Certification of Computer Scientists
Message-ID: <adaworksDE5C3E.L8o@netcom.com>
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Date: Wed, 30 Aug 1995 23:04:26 GMT
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Antoun Kanawati (tonyk@cybercom.net) wrote:
: In article <41tm9n$575@jefferson.fairfield.com>, Pete Harlan <harlan> wrote:

: > Many people have made the point that computer scientists/programmers don't
: > usually do things that are as critical as what doctors do so we shouldn't
: > have to be certified to perform our craft legally.

Software is ubiquitous and pervasive throughout all of  
modern society.  Anyone with a BASIC interpreter may write
a computer program.  I've even seen clinical software 
written by MD's that operate on an Atari toy computer. Of
course, the patients don't know about this.

Certification is probably appropriate for certain classes of
software, but there is no way we could effectively certify
software developers any more than we could certify pencil
operators.  Anyone with a dollar may purchase a writing 
instrument and scribble total nonsense.  Anyone with a
computer can write the great software solution of our
decade. 

Before using the solution in safety-sensitive environments we
may find some virtue in assessing the relative risk.  

Bright programmers sometimes write dumb programs. Some novice
programmers write brilliant software.  Each program must be
evaluated on its actual merits rather than on the reputation 
of its author. 

Programmers don't kill. Programs do.

Richard Riehle
adaworks@netcom.com
-- 
                                             adaworks@netcom.com
