Dependable Computing

Preface

Dependability of systems has transitioned over the years from a feature to a necessity for end users, and from an add‐on to a core design principle for those who are designing and implementing computing or computer‐based systems. The need for dependability has grown not just in its breadth in terms of the areas where it is applicable but also in depth. Given any one of the many systems where dependability techniques are applied, their relevance is seen in every layer of the system stack. The aim of this book is to help readers navigate through the evolution of dependability, from taxonomy, mathematical concepts, and fundamental theory to design, implementation, validation, deployment, measurement, and monitoring. Finally, the book brings its audience right up to the modernity of the field by looking at critical societal applications such as autonomous vehicles, large‐scale clouds, and engineering solutions for healthcare, illustrating the emerging challenges faced in making artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications dependable and trustworthy.

Sections of the book are intensely pedantic and technical. However, with the support of practical case studies and use cases from both academia and real‐world deployments, we have attempted to guide our audience through their journey in fathoming the developments in this ever‐growing field. For a beginner, a systematic study from the beginning will help in building strong foundations, but we encourage all readers to whet ...