Ethics

When it comes to software where security is critical or the software plays a role of significance (life/death situations), then the software should be thoroughly tested as not doing so could lead to terrible repercussions. For instance, if computerized accounting system were to have bugs, people’s finances could be at risk; balances emptied out or information leaked. The money people use to pay the bills and buy groceries – gone.
What about situations where software does not play a life or death position, where no one will starve because there are a few bugs. Is it better to hold the release date until the software is debugged or is it better to release the software sooner and distribute patches later on? Many companies have chosen to go with the latter solution, but this could put the company’s reputation at risk. Just because several companies have chosen to this route, does not make it right. In most other industries a faulty product is unacceptable, why should software be any different? Companies should refrain from releasing buggy software and test their software properly and thoroughly, as it could harm future sales.