Re: worms versus viruses (was Re: Apple ][ worms DO exist!)

[gdr@myrias.ab.ca (Devin Reade)]

In article <36bqan$f4s@lucy.infi.net> dynasor@infi.net (Dennis McClain-Furmanski) writes:

[Re benevolent worms and viruses]

>It still *is* a good idea. But you'd need to make sure it was absolutely bug
>free and take out umpty billion dollars of liability insurance, and you'd
>still get hooted off the net.

Ahh, there's the problem though.  How are you to ensure that a piece
of software is bug free?  Formal methods can be used on the algorithm,
but I don't think they can in general be applied to code (anyone care
to correct me?)

As far as the more traditional testing methods are concerned, I think
most of us realize that you cannot test all situations except on
the most trivial programs.

I truly ugly problem.

--
	Devin Reade		gdr@myrias.ab.ca

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