4 Ways to Tell if You’re Dealing with a Software Bug Infestation

Since the inception of software, there have always been software bugs. These nuisances can cause major problems for businesses, especially in numbers. You might think that years upon years of technological developments have eradicated the threats from the world, but that's not necessarily the case.

Granted, the assumption is a fair one. Technology improves exponentially over time. Each different version of software fixes certain bugs, or problems that had arisen in previous versions of software. The latest technology assumes that all previous bugs have been resolved, but there are always problems to be found; especially in older operating systems past their expiration date (i.e. Windows XP, Windows Vista).

While it might be reasonable to imagine that all software bugs have been fixed in the latest versions of technology, there are multiple reasons why bugs aren't fixed:

• Perfection is a myth.
• Deadlines put pressure on developers.
• New software does more than before.
• Hackers.

Nothing is Ever Perfect
Nobody is perfect, and therefore nothing they create can be perfect. Even a whole team with varied minds and skill levels cannot create a perfect piece of software, free from any and all vulnerabilities. These imperfect programmers make the software used by the masses and small businesses alike. These software programs consist of millions upon millions of lines of code, all filled with complex strings of characters. Just one mistake can create bugs. Even the software programs used to write code have bugs that are found from time to time, and you can't make something perfect with imperfect software.

Deadlines Don't Exactly Foster Caution
Contrary to popular belief, programmers don't have all the time in the world to create quality software productions. If they did, they might be able to make something bug-free. However, the chances aren't in their favor either way. Programmers, just like most any other worker, have to meet deadlines that are imposed in order to ensure that the software doesn't go over budget. The results are cut corners and software laden with bugs that proper caution could have fixed.

New Software Does More Than Its Older Brethren
When a piece of software is first released, there are so many possibilities. Little do they know that they will be replaced by better, more advanced software that can do more in the next several years. The very nature of technology is to grow more complex, which means more lines of code, and greater chance for error. InfoWorld states:

People who count such items say that if you only have one mistake per every 50 lines of code, you're doing pretty well. Most programmers veer closer to a mistake for every five to 15 lines of code. Consider, say, that the Linux kernel has more than 15 million lines of code ... you do the math.

Hackers: the Root of All Evil
Hackers are a big reason that software bugs continue to plague the world. Hackers exploit the prevalent vulnerabilities in all kinds of software. In other words, they take the wound and turn it into a festering breeding ground where vulnerabilities become worse. If hackers continue to exploit the poor security of software, this world will never see the end of bugs.

Obviously, this is a problem that needs to be addressed. While bugs can't be eliminated, you can help yourself by staying vigilant and mindful of network security. Computerware can help you keep your infrastructure as sound as possible, and minimize the effects of software bugs. We'll be like a virtual exterminator, ridding you of the vermin that infest your network. For more information, give us a call at (703) 821-8200.