Quality of Numerical Software

Numerical software is central to our computerized society. It is used to control aeroplanes and bridges, operate manufacturing lines, control power plants and refineries, and analyse financial markets. Such software must be accurate, reliable, robust, efficient, easy to use, maintainable and adaptable. Quality assessment and control of numerical software is still not well understood. Although measurement is a key element, it remains difficult to assess many components of software quality and to evaluate the trade-offs between them. Fortunately, as numerical software is built upon a long established foundation of mathematical and computational knowledge, there is great potential for dramatic breakthroughs. This volume will address enabling techniques and tools such as benchmarks, testing methodologies, quality standards, metrics, and accuracy control mechanisms, and their application to software for differential equations, linear algebra, data analysis, as well as the evaluation of integrals, derivatives and elementary and special functions.