Cleanroom software engineering is an engineering process used to produce high integrity, defect-free software in a highly controlled environment. The process is designed to reduce as much as possible the introduction of software bugs by isolating each software development stage so that bugs can be identified and eliminated before any code is written.
The cleanroom software engineering process begins with a specification for the design of the software (the “design goal”). A rigorous review process then evaluates the software design and its underlying code. During the review process, code is tested using formalized code standards and high-level verification techniques. After the code is approved, it is tested in a controlled environment, called a cleanroom.
In a cleanroom environment, developers work in an atmosphere free from distractions, with the aim of producing the highest quality software. This environment is both secure and controlled, and all activities are subject to intense review intended to detect any bugs that might remain in the code.
The cleanroom software engineering process has proven successful in the development of mission-critical and safety-critical software where high levels of reliability are essential. The process has been applied to a wide range of software development projects, from military and avionics systems to medical and automotive systems. The cleanroom approach can also help improve software development speed and efficiency, and reduce development costs.
