Reliability+and+integrity

__**Reliability and integrity**__
//by Guy Finlayson//

====**Reliability** refers to the operation of hardware, the design of software, the accuracy of data or the correspondence of data with the real world. Data may be unreliable if it has been entered incorrectly or if it becomes outdated. The reliability of machines, software and data determines our confidence in their value. ====

====**Integrity** refers to safeguarding the accuracy and completeness of stored data. Data lacks integrity when it has been changed accidentally or tampered with. Examples of data losing integrity are where information is duplicated in a relational database and only one copy is updated or where data entries have been maliciously altered. ====

====Microsoft PCs’ have been around for quite some time – why? It’s because they are quite simply __reliable__. Millions of people have purchased a Microsoft PC in their lifetime, as they don’t see a problem in them; or still see them as better (or better priced) than the “stylish” and “flashy” Apple or other computer companies. Some people wonder that the only real reason that Microsoft is more popular (in units) than other competitors, is that they were the first real big thing in the computing world – they started it off in other words. __As of 2011 Microsoft has a boasting asset of $108.7 Billion (__ ==== []/ [])

, whereas __Apple only charted a high, yet not high enough $75.18 Billion(__
[]) ====__as of the year 2010 (2011 data not issued yet)__. This seems to be substantial evidence to explain that Microsoft is ahead of the game and thus other competitors – one of the main reasons is always going to be that it has always appealed to customers, and has never failed them in a significant way; __Microsoft has a great source of reliability__. Although knowing this, you also have to look at which computer companies have the least complaints and which companies have the highest reliability points. As of early 2008, IBM (Microsoft) was slightly ahead of Apple in this field - which is surely great for selling for these companies; although Apple is high, other companies which are run by Microsoft add up to well over Apple (sales as well as reliability), and here's a video to prove it: ====

====An example of integrity in its lacking is on programs such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel etc. (basically most core programs). What is meant by this is that the computer can easily accidentally change a word by accident, not notice it, save it and you will be forced to change it a later date – it’s simple to be avoided yet can be so annoying. An example of lack of integrity is where a calendar on the computer may decide that when the end of the year arrives, that the year begins again - like when the day 31st December 2010 is over the next day is 1st January 2010). That's just not right, and that's lack of integrity on the computer right there.==== ====Another example of data integrity in a more computing direction is when a file may get corrupted, you will then not be able to access that file. Some programs will give you a response on how to correct this, others sadly will not, and that work may be lost forever. That links in to Reliability as well, as sadly if the computer has not picked up on the error and fixed it, then your computer shows lack of integrity and you don't have as much reliability in it. ====



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