Software engineering for real-time high reliability applications

More and more frequently computer/software systems are finding their way into applications wherein both real-time requirements and public or user safety requirements are explicit. The design and development of real-time systems/software requires unique system and software engineering. The development and delivery of software products whose continued successful performance is essential to operational safety and whose failure can lead to loss of life or a significant financial impact also requires a unique software engineering approach. The confluence of these requirements in a single software application is one of the most challenging software development problems. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general discussion of the unique system/software engineering concerns associated with development of software products for real-time applications involving public or user safety or the potential for significant financial loss.