Software Reliability Methods (texts In Computer Science)

Many books focus on increasing the quality of software through the use of formal methods. However, most books embrace one particular method, and present it as the suggested solution for the software reliability problem. This book presents a wider picture of formal methods, through a collection of notations and techniques. It compares them, and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. One of the main challenges of formal methods is in transferring the tech­ nology developed by researchers to the software development community. Re­ cently, we seem to be starting to have a better understanding of the important ingredients of formal methods tools. This manifests itself in the growing ac­ ceptance of such tools in the software and hardware development industry. Ideally, formal methods need to be intuitive to use (preferably using graphi­ cal interfaces), do not impose on the user an extensive learning period, and incur only small overhead to the development process. Formal methods are much more acceptable today than ten or twenty years ago, in particular in the hardware industry. Yet there is still a lively contention between different approaches.

This volume presents a collection of methods for dealing with software reliability. Ideally, formal methods need to be intuitive to use, require a relatively brief learning period, and incur only small overhead to the development process. This book compares these varying methods and reveals their respective advantages and disadvantages, while also staying close to the dual themes of automata theory and logic.

Topics and features:
* Collects and compares the key software reliability methods currently in use: deductive verification, automatic verification, testing, and process algebra

* Provides useful information suitable in the software selection process for a given project

* Offers numerous exercises, projects, and running examples to facilitate learning formal methods and allows for ¿hands-on¿ experience with these critical tools

* Describes the mathematical principles supporting formal methods

* Gives insights into new research directions in the field, as well as ways of developing new methods and/or adjusting existing ones.

This volume can be used as an introduction to software methods techniques, a source for learning about various ways to enhance software reliability, and a guide to formal methods techniques. It is an essential resource for professionals and software engineers in R&D departments in industry, using software reliability, program-modeling systems, and verification methods.

The book 'formal methods for software' presents a collection of current methods for dealing with software reliability. It compares between these methods, and shows their advantages and disadvantages. The book presents a description of the techniques, intended for a nonexpert audience with some minimal technical background (e.g., some training in software engineering, or basic computer science courses). It also describes some advanced techniques, aimed at researchers and practitioners in software engineering. This text/reference is intended to be used as an introduction to software methods techniques, a source for learning about various ways to enhanced software reliability, a reference on formal methods technique, and also as a basis for a one semester university course in this subject. It suggests various projects and exercises for achieving "hands-on" experience with the various formal methods tools

This book presents current methods for dealing with software reliability, illustrating the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The description of the techniques is intended for a non-expert audience with some minimal technical background. It also describes some advanced techniques, aimed at researchers and practitioners in software engineering. This reference will serve as an introduction to formal methods and techniques and will be a source for learning about various ways to enhance software reliability. Various projects and exercises give readers hands-on experience with the various formal methods and tools.

During late 1999, the world waited, with growing concern, for the change of the calendar into the year 2000.