Sources of errors
Human errors – GIGO and input errors
GIGO – Garbage in Garbage out
- If invalid data is entered in a computer program, the resulting output will also be
invalid
- Programmers must take measures to prevent GIGO errors
Arithmetic errors
Rounding
- When numbers are rounded, accuracy is lost on the decimal places after which
the rounding took place
Truncating
- Truncating a real number to an integer loses all decimal values
Fixed number of bits
- The number of bits available determines the highest and lowest numbers that
can be contained. If a number is outside of that range, it cannot be stored
Overflow
- Calculations that result in answers that exceed the max value for a data type
will still be performed but the answer will be incorrect
Data transmission errors
Common cable problems
Atmospheric conditions
- Moisture of heat can cause damage to the cable and make it unable to carry
data
Distance limits
- Cables can only carry signals over a limited distance, then attenuation (loss of
ability to continue carrying the signal) occurs
Interference-causing devices
- Magnetic or electrical interference
Programming errors
Bugs – catastrophic errors caused by programmers
description Cause
A rocket exploded seconds An overflow – an error in the conde that converted
after launch a 64-bit floating point number to a 16-bit signed
integer
An orbiter burned up in mars There was a confusion in calculations that
atmosphere involved English/metric unit conversions
Bugs in car systems A variety of errors in the embedded software of
smart cars
Solutions for errors
Verification
What is data verification
- a process of preventing errors when data is copied from one medium to
another, ensuring its completeness, correctness, and consistency
Validation
what is data validation
- A extensive number of checks applied to data
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller paintingerin1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $2.92. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.