0A software whose failure may cause death or injuries to the users called Safety-Critical Software.
The software present as part of Aeroplanes, or present in Rail as railway signalling software or Automotive (current as part of cars/buses/trucks) or health care (x-rays, scanners etc.).
How is it, safety-critical?
Let's take an example.
1. The software was written for engine control of an aeroplane. During its flight, if the software fails, then the possibility of flight crash may result in life loss or disabilities.
2. Software written for signalling of train network, failure of that may result in a train collision.
3. break systems software of a Car, whose failure may result in an accident
4. Incorrect results produced by x-rays and scanners leads to health hazards to people.
Usually, all the above software are embedded softwares. As the software is safety-critical, extra care needs to be for software design and development.
Out of the four above, Avionics software is more critical because the aeroplane will not always be on the ground to switch off the system that is creating a problem. Hence, more care needs to be taken than others while designing software or Testing software.
