Software Engineering - Hardware Reliability vs Software Reliability Last Updated : 20 Jul, 2023 Summarize Comments Improve Suggest changes Share Like Article Like Report Reliability in software is software that has no failure and works in a special time period with a special environment. Hardware reliability is the probability of the absence of any hardware-related system malfunction for a given mission on the other hand software reliability is the probability that the software will provide a failure-free operation in a fixed environment for a fixed interval of time. The article focuses on discussing the difference between Hardware Reliability and Software Reliability. Hardware ReliabilityHardware reliability is the probability that the ability of the hardware to perform its function for some period of time. It may change during certain periods such as initial burn-in or the end of useful life. It is expressed as Mean Time Between Failures (MBTF).Hardware faults are mostly physical faults.Thorough testing of all components cuts down on the number of faults. Hardware failures are mostly due to wear and tear.It follows the Bathtub curve principle for testing failure. Software ReliabilitySoftware reliability is the probability that the software will operate failure-free for a specific period of time in a specific environment. It is measured per some unit of time. Software Reliability starts with many faults in the system when first created. After testing and debugging enter a useful life cycle. Useful life includes upgrades made to the system which bring about new faults. The system needs to then be tested to reduce faults. Software reliability cannot be predicted from any physical basis, since it depends completely on the human factors in design. Hardware Reliability vs Software ReliabilityFeaturesHardware ReliabilitySoftware ReliabilitySource of FailureFailures are caused due to defects in design, production, and maintenance.Failures are caused due to defects in design.Wear and TearFailure occurs due to physical deterioration in wear and tear.In software reliability, there is no wear and tear.Deterioration WarningIn this prior deterioration warning about failure.In this no prior deterioration warning about failure.Failure CurveThe bathtub curve is used for failure rates apply.There is no Bathtub curve for failure rates.Is Failure Time-dependent?In this failures are time-dependent.In this failures are not time-dependent.Reliability PredictionIn this reliability can be predicted from design.In this reliability can not be predicted from design.Reliability ComplexityThe complexity of hardware reliability is very high.The complexity of software reliability is low.External Environment ImpactHardware reliability is related to environmental conditions.External environment conditions do not affect software reliability. Reliability ImprovementReliability can't be improved through redundant of hardware.Reliability can be improved through redundancy of software.MaintenanceRepairs can be made that make hardware more reliable through maintenance.No equivalent preventive maintenance for software. Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article Software Engineering - Hardware Reliability vs Software Reliability I itskawal2000 Follow Improve Article Tags : Computer Subject Difference Between Software Engineering Similar Reads Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Software development life cycle (SDLC) is a structured process that is used to design, develop, and test good-quality software. SDLC, or software development life cycle, is a methodology that defines the entire procedure of software development step-by-step. The goal of the SDLC life cycle model is 11 min read ACID Properties in DBMS In the world of DBMS, transactions are fundamental operations that allow us to modify and retrieve data. 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