Use of object oriented technologies in high reliability system

Abstract

This tutorial presents the new challenges brought by the advent of object oriented technologies (OOT) into the realm of high reliability systems. For a long time, OOP was deemed too dynamic a model for highly reliable systems, especially levels A/B of the DO178B, although the standard in itself does not preclude the use of any technology. However, interest for introducing OO techniques is growing in the community; the FAA sponsored OOTiA (Object-Oriented Technology in Aviation), a handbook intended to identify and address these issues. Although not an official policy of the FAA, this handbook is a major input for the upcoming revision of DO178B (DO178C). The tutorial provides an overview of software safety related standards (DO178B in airborne systems, EN5018 for railway systems). Based on the extensive work of the OOTiA, it explains the issues of object oriented technologies in high reliability systems, and how such technologies can be used while ensuring the high degree of control, review, and testing mandated by these systems. Finally, it shows how Ada's object oriented model differs from the traditional model, and brings better solutions for introducing OOP to high reliability systems. The tutorial will help participants to understand what software safety standards are about, discover the issues of object oriented technologies in high reliability systems, get an up to date view of current trends with regard to OOT and the DO178B, and learn how Ada's model of object oriented programming is especially appropriate for secure systems