Continuous Qualification

In safety-critical software development, qualification is never a one-time event. Yet in practice, compiler and library qualification is often treated as a one-time process. It is done just before the date of first delivery, and is then treated as remaining valid forever. Modern software development requires a different approach.

A new mindset is needed: Continuous Qualification.When we qualify a compiler or a library, we are not qualifying the tool as such. We are qualifying specific compiler versions, specific library versions, and specific option combinations. Together, these parameters define the safety envelope. The application, including its build system, can have confidence in the safety of the toolchain if it remains within this safety envelope. The moment it steps outside, the qualification evidence no longer applies and adjustments are required.

Modern software development constantly pushes toward the edges of this envelope. Toolchains are updated to introduce new features, fixes, and security patches. Build systems evolve in response to changing requirements, integration of third-party components, and performance feedback. Each change risks stepping outside the safety envelope without notice.

With continuous qualification, the system automatically detects when the qualified safety envelope is breached. If so, it either performs an automated requalification or signals that an explicit decision is required to extend the qualification scope.

Qualification becomes a living engineering process, instead of a one-time effort that restricts future development. Continuous qualification shifts qualification from a periodic compliance cost to an ongoing risk-management capability. It scales with development velocity, supports long product lifetimes, and provides clarity for engineering, quality, and compliance teams alike.

Software complexity, toolchain complexity, and regulatory pressure are all increasing. The question is not whether qualification must be repeated, but how often, and how much of it can be automated. Continuous qualification is made possible by integrating compiler validation, library qualification, static analysis, and build system monitoring.

BUGSENG and Solid Sands have joined forces to create a Continuous Qualification system for C and C++ toolchains.
Visit us at embedded world, booth #4-548 to hear more.

Prepare for your visit, so we can run together through your safety envelope:

Read the full white paper