Absence of Errors Fallacy

Though copious errors guarantee worthlessness, zero errors says nothing about the value of software. This is Gerald Weinberg's "Absence of Errors Fallacy." It really puts testing into perspective. It also puts all software engineering and management into perspective. The first part of the principle is obviously true; software with many errors is useless. The second part provides food for thought. It says that, no matter how hard you work to remove errors, you are wasting your time unless you are building the right system. Akao's Quality Function Deployment provides details on one method of ensuring that you are building the right system throughout the live cycle. A corollary to this principle is that all the formal methods, all the testing, and all the product assurance in the world won't help if you are building the wrong system.


Reference:
Weinberg, G., Quality Software Management, Vol. 1: Systems Thinking, New York: Dorset House, 1992.

Shakedown

Doctor Who: Shakedown by Terrance Dicks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Can you really have a Doctor Who story that is not about Doctor Who? Yes! In fact, this story is certainly better for having so little focus on the Doctor.

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Doctor Who: The Mind of Evil

Doctor Who: The Mind of Evil by Terrance Dicks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The BBC Audio is from the television soundtrack which leaves a fair amount of detail out. It is okay if you are a Doctor Who fan and know who the characters are but in no way should it be considered a standalone book.

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When to Rob a Bank

When to Rob a Bank by Steven D. Levitt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There are a few gems in here that should be revisited and reframed for today. There is also a lot that was only relevant in the past. Overall, it is worth reading but maybe with an eye to skipping anything that seems overly out-of-date.

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