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Microsoft's OOXML Formulas Could Be Dangerous

Posted by kdawson on from the who-approved-this-stuff dept.

hill101 writes "According to Rob Weir's blog, Microsoft's 325-page OOXML specification for spreadsheet formulas is deeply flawed. From basic trigonometric functions that forget to specify units, to statistical functions, to critical financial functions — the specification does not contain correct formulas that could possibly be implemented in an interoperable way. Quoting Mr. Weir: 'It has incorrect formulas that, if implemented according to the standard, may cause loss of life, property, and capital... Shame on all those who praised and continue to praise the OOXML formula specification without actually reading it.'"

2 of 360 comments (clear)

  1. Proof that open formats are a good idea? by moosesocks · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I don't know about you, but I view this as being a very GOOD thing.

    Because the format was an "open" standard, the serious flaws present in the format were quickly and correctly identified by third parties outside of Microsoft.

    If it had been a trade secret, it could have been bundled into a product, and assumed to be reliable by its users. Instead, it's been exposed for what it is.

    If anything, this proves that open formats are a good idea.

    --
    -- If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? - Uli's moose
  2. Implied warranty - fit for the purpose by QuestorTapes · · Score: 5, Interesting

    > ...in general:
    >
    > * We trust all hand tools like wrenches and sockets to be exactly the size on the label
    > * We trust all of our doctor's opinions whether or not a second opinion is recommended
    > * We trust our math applications to do math properly
    > * We trust our spell checkers to check properly
    >
    > In general, we trust the things we by to work as expected... as advertised.

    http://www.oandp.com/edge/issues/articles/2006-08_ 06.asp

    http://www.brajeshwar.com/finance/insurance/Liabil ity-Insurance.html

    These links refer to the concept you're talking about. The second refers to the UK Consumer Protection Act, but the concept is general and fairly well accepted. From the first link:

    "...any product that is sold comes with an implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose; and, just by selling a product, a seller is implicitly promising that: (1) the product is merchantable, i.e., fit for the ordinary purposes for which such products are to be used, provided that the seller is in the business of selling products of that kind; and (2) the product is fit for a particular purpose, provided that the seller, at the time of sale, knew the particular purpose for which the product was required, and the buyer relied upon the seller's skill or judgment in selecting a suitable product for that purpose."

    This hasn't been successfully applied to software cases like this, but the issue hasn't be ruled out either. But it's hardly a stretch to expect that software such as a spreadsheet comes with an implied warranty that ordinary financial and statistical calculations are properly performed.