Hardware vs software reliability—A comparative study

High levels of reliability can be predicted and achieved as far as the hardware portions of modern large and complex real-time computer-based control systems are concerned but software is a critical part and plays a vital role in influencing the overall system reliability. This paper presents a comparative study between hardware reliability and software reliability from three definitions: top level, intermediate level and low level based on user's point of view, system designer's point of view and quantitative measurement point of view, respectively. Also discussed is the hardware reliability theory vs software reliability theory on the basis of analysis of malfunctions and prevailing reliability trends.