Systems and Software Verification : Model-Checking Techniques and Tools

Model checking is a powerful approach for the formal verification of software. It automatically provides complete proofs of correctness, or explains, via counter-examples, why a system is not correct. Here, the author provides a well written and basic introduction to the new technique. The first part describes in simple terms the theoretical basis of model checking: transition systems as a formal model of systems, temporal logic as a formal language for behavioral properties, and model-checking algorithms. The second part explains how to write rich and structured temporal logic specifications in practice, while the third part surveys some of the major model checkers available.

Model checking is a powerful approach for the formal verification of software. When applicable, it automatically provides complete proofs of correctness, or explains, via counter-examples, why a system is not correct.
This book provides a basic introduction to this new technique. The first part describes in simple terms the theoretical basis of model checking: transition systems as a formal model of systems, temporal logic as a formal language for behavioral properties, and model-checking algorithms. The second part explains how to write rich and structured temporal logic specifications in practice, while the third part surveys some of the major model checkers available.

"This book is the first text on model checking at a graduate/undergraduate level. It is divided into three parts. The first part is concerned with the fundamental notions (modelling with finite automata, synchronous product of automata, temporal logic, model-checking algorithms, symbolic model checking, timed systems). The second part focuses on the practical problem of writing correctness properties in temporal logic, and on different approaches to their verification. The third part reviews several model-checking tools."--Jacket As mentioned in the foreword, model checking consists in verifying some properties of the model of a system.