Project 68: Handbook on Accuracy and Reliability in Scientific Computing 

Revised original title "How to Describe Numerical Software Properties"

Oxford 1996:
===========

This will remain active and Grosse will prepare the descriptive
paragraph. Add Boisvert, Gladwell, Rice, and Wright to people list.

Ottawa 2000:
============

Plans for Handbook on Numerical Software
----------------------------------------

Einarsson had circulated a draft proposal for a book project to be
coordinated by members of the WG. Several issues were discussed and
general support was given to this activity. There seemed to be two
possible perspectives that could be adopted (`How to effectively use
software' and `How to write software that would be used'). These two
approaches have much overlap but the audience would be different as
would the writing styles and choice of topics. Einarsson agreed to set
up a website, write a white paper and organize a Minisymposium for the
summer 2001 SIAM meeting in connection with this project.

A steering committee consisting of Einarsson, Vouk, Smith and Boisvert
was approved to coordinate this project. Several other members also
agreed to participate. The website for this activity is
http://www.nsc.liu.se/~boein/ifip/intern/book/. 

Later, during the discussions of the technical projects, this project
was combined with No. 68. This project was deemed to be a natural
place to coordinate the Handbook project. The Handbook therefore will
be considered a `deliverable' of this project and, in the future,
progress on the Handbook will be discussed under this project number.

Amsterdam 2001:
===============

Handbook Project
----------------

Einarsson distributed a white paper and reported in detail on recent
progress in this project. He gave an overview of the focus of the
handbook and a draft outline of the chapters. He proposed that we
consider publishing it as a web-based evolving document (with a hard
copy published periodically).

Cools and Walter were added to the list of participants.

Portland 2002:
=============

Einarsson summarized the current status of this project which has the
objective of publishing a guide on the effective derivation and use of
robust software. Several manuscripts have been submitted and are under
review. Other contributions have been promised but not yet delivered.
A draft of the current contributions is available at a protected
website (contact Einarsson for access). Several topics were discussed
that could be the subject of additional contributions to this book
(possible authors were also identified).

Strobl 2003:
============
The Handbook Project was discussed at length on both days. Einarsson
summarized the current status of this project which has the objective
of publishing a guide on the effective derivation and use of robust
software. He identified the progress that had been made since our last
meeting and outlined a schedule for completion of the project within
the next year that includes submitting drafts to potential publishers
and obtaining feedback by the end of the 2003. Detailed chapter drafts
and missing sections were being addressed and the tentative title is
now `Accuracy and Reliability in Scientific Computing'. Detailed
discussion of the contents and focus of each section took place and
this was helpful in ensuring that the chapters, written by different
authors, would have a consistent style and format.

Washington 2004:
================

This project was discussed at length over both days. Einarsson
summarized the current status of this project which has the objective
of publishing a guide on the effective derivation and use of robust
software. He identified the progress that had been made since our last
meeting and outlined a schedule for completion of the project as a
SIAM book within the next year. A few key chapters have yet to be
written and some inconsistencies have been identified and will be
addressed. Copies of the current version of the manuscript were
circulated. The group expressed their thanks to Bo for the tremendous
effort he has devoted to coordinating the planning, production and
completion of this important project.

A web page http://www.nsc.liu.se/~boein/ifip/intern/book/ has been set
up to document the progress of the handbook.

Hong Kong 2005:
===============

The book is in press, to be published by SIAM in July this year.
A web page http://www.nsc.liu.se/wg25/book/ has been set up as a
complement to the book. The order form is available as
http://www.ec-securehost.com/SIAM/SE18.html
 
The group members expressed their thanks to the project leader Bo
Einarsson for all the work that he has put into making this a success.

Document:
=========

Accuracy and Reliability in Scientific Computing
Book edited by Bo Einarsson, SIAM Press 
(Software, Environments, and Tools series, Volume SE-18), Philadelphia 2005.
August 2005 / xxiii + 338 pages / Softcover / ISBN 0-89871-584-9
List price $64.00 / SIAM Member Price $44.80 / Order Code SE18