A Study of Errors Caused by Transcription Mistakes in Fortran Programs.
Lloyd D. Fosdick · 1979
Transcription mistakes which are not caught in proof-reading must be caught by observation of phenomena, such as syntax errors or wrong results, caused by them. Here we explore the nature and frequency of simple phenomena caused by typing mistakes such as striking the wrong key on a keyboard. This is done mainly with a simulation of the mistakes but some analytic work on this problem is also described. Finally, the efficacy of compilers in detecting the phenomena caused by typing mistakes is described. (Author)