This paper takes a critical look at the benefits provided by 
state-of-the-art deterministic execution techniques.  Specifically, we
look at four applications of deterministic execution: debugging,
fault-tolerant replication, testing, and security.  For each
application, we discuss what an ideal system would provide, and then
look at how deterministic systems compare to the ideal.  Further, we
discuss alternative approaches, not involving determinism, and we
judge whether or not these alternatives are more suitable.  Along
the way, we identify open questions and suggest future work.

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Ultimately, we find that there are competitive alternatives to
determinism for debugging and replicating multithreaded programs;
that determinism has high, though unproven, potential to improve
testing; and that determinism has distinct security benefits in
eliminating some covert timing channels.  Furthermore, determinism
is a unified solution for all four applications: this confers a
distinct advantage over point solutions that do not compose well
with one another.