I think the complexity is comparable to software because although you control the hardware platform ...
I've worked on huge embedded systems that spanned 10 - 30 networked processors and controlled 20+ million dollar machines, and it's not even close QA wise.
... you don't have control over all the software running the individual components....
Sure you do.
... while quietly a new bug is introduced by some seemingly irrelevant update.
See?
The integrator has the option, at at their discretion, to use or pass on updated libraries. If the integrator uses the updates, then it is their responsibility to make sure no old bugs were reintroduced (regression testing) and all test cases are revalidated. It's all part of an organized QA effort. What I see is a lowering of quality standards across the board driven partly (IMO) by the lowered expectations folks have due to their experience with software, which shouldn't influence them, but does.
[This message has been edited by charlie (edited March 17, 2003).]
Previous Topic
Index
