Year 2000 Problem and Software Reliability

Topic area	Year 2000 Problem and Software Reliability
Target audience	Undergraduate Computer Science majors and minors
Activity type	Read scenario. Fill in worksheet. Discuss in class.
Time required	One hour outside of class. 30 minutes to 1 hour in class.
Attachments	Worksheet on Year 2000 Problem and Software Reliability.
Additional materials	$30 Million Error May Be a Precursor of Year 2000 Flawsby Mike Allen, NY Times, March 23, 1999 Food Stamp Error Not Tied to Year 2000 by Neil MacFarquhar, NY Times, March 24, 1999
Background needed to complete the assignment	Read 2 articles and review ACM Code of Conduct
References	A few of the URLs addressing the Year 2000 problem in general: http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~cs3604/lib/Y2K.Overview.html by JAN Lee's CS3604 class at Virginia Tech www.year2000world.com www.y2k.com Additional newspaper articles about the food stamp error: Y2K glitch delivers food stamps early in New Jersey, by Wayne Parry, AP, Boston Globe, March 22, 1999 N.J. food stamp mistake a Y2K warning, Nation in Brief, The Atlanta Constitution, March 23, 1999 Computer Problem? Why not blame Y2K? by Ashley Dunn, Los Angeles Times, April 18, 1999, Part C, Page 1
Last modified	August 12, 1999

Abstract:
The assignment is to read articles concerning apparent failure of software to be Year 2000 compliant and to review the ACM Code of Ethics. Students probably have already had some exposure to the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct before this assignment. If not, extra care should be taken to introduce it now.
They must apply the Code of Ethics to this scenario by completing the worksheet, discussing this with another student, and sharing their conclusions with the class.

Goals for the activity:

To recognize the need for professional responsibility as computer professionals.
To understand the enormity of the specific concerns related to the year 2000.
To recognize the importance of adequate software and operations testing.
To apply the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
To improve critical thinking and logical skills.
To understand how a mistake in one area can effect individuals in other, perhaps far-removed areas.

Knowledge / skills / attitudes to be developed (behavioral objectives):

To become more familiar with the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
To use critical thinking skills to evaluate the situation.
To view the situation from different perspectives.
To articulate their findings, by both writing them down and explaining them orally.

Procedure:
Instructors should:
    Check links to be sure they are still valid. If not, find alternate sources for the articles referenced and perhaps distribute them in class. The articles are not lengthy.
    Assign the articles to be read and distribute the worksheets at least 2 days before students turn them in.
    In class, allow students at least 10 minutes to discuss their answers in pairs.
    Allow at least 15 minutes for each pair to report on their findings. If there is not much time in class and there are several groups, have them report on specified
        questions only.
    Collect worksheets, grade and return to students.

Students should:
    Read the articled titled $30 Million Error May Be a Precursor of Year 2000 Flaws by Mike Allen in the March 23, 1999, Final Late Edition of The New York Times, Section B, Page 1, Column 2.
    Read a follow-up article titled Food Stamp Error Not Tied to Year 2000, Officials Say by Neil MacFarquhar in the March 24, 1999, Final Late Edition of The New York Times, Section B, Page 5, Column 5.
    Review the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
    Complete Worksheet on Year 2000 Problem and Software Reliability.
    Break into pairs to discuss individual positions, as recorded on worksheet.
    Report pair's findings to the class.

Assessing outcomes:
Suggested point values are given on the worksheet. Or, you may choose simply to give or deny credit for participation.

Additional remarks:
Don't forget to mention the reporter of the first article. Remind them that, at the time of this writing, Year 2000 is a volatile issue, and that people are easily frightened by the prospect of mass failures in services such as food stamps.

Author contact information:
    Dr. Sylvia Clark Pulliam
    Computer Science Department
    Western Kentucky University
    Bowling Green KY 42101
     sylvia.pulliam@wku.edu

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