Error sources in spatial operations software
There are many possible error sources in development of software for coordinate transformations.
- Truncation errors are due to the use of a finite number of terms in an infinite series.
- Approximation error is due to approximating one function with another (simpler to compute) function.
- Iteration error is due to the use of a finite number of iterations in an iterative process.
- Formulation errors are due to the analyst developing the incorrect equations or logic – this includes improper formulations near singular points, improper treatment of signs, incorrect treatment of units and others.
- Implementation errors are due to improper coding of the correct formulation.
- Round-off errors are those caused by finite word length computers.