Tools
Software can automate, assist or otherwise handle or help in the DO-178B processes. All tools used for DO-178B development must be part of the certification process. Tools generating embedded code are qualified as development tools, with the same constraints as the embedded code. Tools used to verify the code (simulators, test execution tool, coverage tools, reporting tools, etc.) must be qualified as verification tools, a much lighter process consisting in a comprehensive black box testing of the tool.
A third party tool can be qualified as a verification tool, but development tools must have been developed following the DO-178 process. Companies providing this kind of tools as COTS are subject to audits from the certification authorities, to which they give complete access to source code, specifications and all certification artifacts.
Outside of this scope, output of any used tool must be manually verified by humans.
- A problem management tool can provide traceability for changes.
- SCI and SECI can be created from logs in a revision control tool.
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Famous quotes containing the word tools:
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—Henry Brooks Adams (1838–1918)
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—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881)