Culture of Ownership - Drunk drivers fight back

How can a person belive in the impartiality of the manufacurer if they CAN'T see the code..

For ANYTHING that requires security (testing like this i belive is such a application) the source code should be a required thing if asked for..

I don't belive that it should be used though to get off a drunk driving when one is drunk, but for those that are not, how can we be sure they are not a false positive because of the code being wrong?

How many people's rights have to be violated (because of bad programing causes them to be convicted) when they can't prove there was NOT a error..

You don't need the source code on a breathalyzer to determine its validity anymore than you need the exact metal composition of a wrench to know whether it works to turn a nut. You can test them by actually using them in controlled experiments etc.... knowing the source code is irrelevant.

I think it is sad that people just want to look for any way out they can find because they don't want to pay the price for the crime. Wouldn't you want to see the test reports that have been done comparing different models/brands?

With a peek at the source you are left with black box testing. White box testing is preferred.

Bob

The sixth amendment grants a defendant the right to confront their accuser. You don't get the right to peak inside the mind of your accuser. You can't take him into a psychiatrist.

Doing lab tests on the actual breathalyser would be more conclusive then seeing the source code.

Viewing code and seeing how that actually runs on a certain piece of equipment is two entirely different things.

Lab Tests are only conclusive of what they test. They are in effect treating the device as a black box. "Put X in Y comes out".

Seeing the source code & hardware lets you look at the bigger picture. Like if a breath mint screwes up the sensor because it measures all "vapors" meeting a certain cirteria. Maybe methane while driving near a swap can knock it off.

In a lab, untless you can think of it, you can't test it. Especially if you are treating it as a black box.