ON APPROPRIATE METHODS FOR THE VALIDATION OF METROLOGICAL SOFTWARE

An adequate concept of software validation must consider all steps beginning with the definition of requirements and ending with the provision of evidence that the requirements are fulfilled. This includes the refinement of requirements to testable attributes, the selection of appropriate methods, the proper execution of methods and the documentation of results. As regards the validation methods, functional tests are preferred in metrology, although this is not always justified. Code inspections may be very beneficial and more straightforward than often expected. Software validation in metrology - in particular the definition of testable requirements - is a highly interdisciplinary process. The approach is demonstrated by an example of software that claims to be conform to the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM).