Computer software: federal policy for a critical technology

It is suggested that a federal policy to promote software for commercial as well as military needs is justified based on the many needs the US has for software, and the inability of the private sector alone to adequately advance the technology required to meet those needs. Since the government has already taken significant steps toward a dual-use software policy, an expensive new program is not needed. Incremental changes in current federal activities related to software could be taken to promote greater sharing of software technology between the military and commercial sectors, and to reap bigger benefits from federal expenditures to develop new software technology. The largest challenge would be for the federal government to develop the capacity to analyze the many ways it influences software technology, and to develop a coherent strategy for promoting technology-through support for RandD, education and training, and trade and economic laws. By doing so, the federal government would not be trying to pick winners and losers, but would rather be taking steps to ensure that software remains a big winner for the US.<>