It's a buggy buggy world!

I have an array of popular bugs related slides in my trainings, and usually I share these to the participants like stories. Since we are well aware that the world is a context rich murky place, the bugs will eventually keep popping up one way or another. As the application development remains a never ending process, so we cannot move our focus from the fact that one day we can have a bug free tech society. 

Here are some interesting bugs that I came across just last year; maybe you have heard of them... 

The Slot Machine

90 year old Paulina Mackey was unlucky to not get 40 million dollars worth of prize money, as the slot machine owners claimed that the message regarding the winnings was due to the "error" in the machine. Paulina Mackey, who has 13 grand kids took the claim in the court and finally the judgment came from the supreme court. (source BBC)

The Plane

This one is super interesting. We all have experienced flying in a commercial airliner. Those of us who don't, have experienced it via movies. We all know now that to make flight time interesting for passengers, the aircraft now provides movies, music and internet on board. For this, they have given slots on t he passenger seats. Cyber security consultant Chris Roberts, claims that "he was able to make the plane climb and move side ways from his seat. 

Apparently the plane seat provides Ethernet connection to access the internet, but what Chris revealed that he could trace all the traffic regarding plane navigation and controls using that same line. (the matter is currently under investigation by the FBI) (Source BBC)

The Missile

"$40-billion missile defense system proves unreliable" After a decade and $40 billion, U.S. missile defense system can't be relied on, even in scripted tests 

Yup, you read that right. Seems like everybody was in so much rush on getting that "kill vehicle" in space and forgot to perform the tests on the system. Each vehicle comprised of thousands of parts. While flying they face rigorous resistance and pressures from external entities. Also, these are manufactured by hands so if these are tested then it would be different test each time. All of that eventually required "Time" and they did not spend that. (Source here)

Folks these are just 3 examples of how critical bugs can cost billions of dollars, lives and can also turn out to be a mere jokes at times. No matter what, the application development and testing process is something which cannot be taken for granted.

As James Bach stated, and I have mentioned so many times - the challenge remains where it is and will be...

"Perfect testing is an infinite process of comparing the invisible to the ambiguous, in order to avoid unthinkable happening to the anonymous" 

What seems like that we are in for a long ride, and the destination is still far far away...

Till then

Ciao

Arslan