How far can we rely on computer based design?

A general rule must be that a synthesised design will be no better and generally worse than the tools that were used to create it. It is therefore necessary that the user knows absolutely what the software he is using is doing, what approximations it is making and what the limits of its application are. The software also needs to convince the user that its output is to be trusted. It is clear that the software must have tutorial value so that the user is able to learn his own design process. It must be clear to the user how the solution has been arrived at and why it is the best. This is no easy task for an optimising system unless the operator has considerable experience and knowledge. The software must aid the design. A “black box“ is only useful after the thing has crashed