Failure Mode Identification and Reporting

When a software component is starting (305), such as but not limited to a task or a subtask, the component pushes (310) its identification (ID) onto a stack. The component then executes (315) its other instructions. If the component completes its instructions so that it can terminate normally (320), then it pops (325) the stack, which removes its ID from the stack. If the component fails, such as by not being able to complete its instructions, then it will not be able to pop the stack so its ID will remain in the stack. Another software process can then read the IDs in the stack to identify (330) which components have failed and can automatically take a specified action (335), such as by sending an email message to, sending a text message to, or calling by telephone, a person or persons responsible for that software component.