A self-contained tutorial on Z for working programmers discussing practical ways to apply formal methods in real projects, first published in 1997.

This book is a highly practical tutorial guide to the Z specification language and its role in software development. The book illustrates how familiar procedures and decisions can be made precise using mathematics. Beginning with a case study, this book is designed to be as self-contained as possible, taking the reader through the basic concepts in logic and set theory formulating precise ideas about software systems, and combines a formal approach with practical examples of its use in software development.

This tutorial introduction to Z takes as its starting point the practical uses of this formal specification language. Case studies are used throughout the text to illustrate all aspects of Z. This edition includes new information on how to relate Z specifications to actual program codes.

This book contains enough mnaterial for three complete courses of study. It provides an introduction to the world of logic, sets and relations. It explains the use of the Znotation in the specification of realistic systems. It shows how Z specifications may be refined to produce executable code; this is demonstrated in a selection of case studies. The essentials of specification, refinement and proof are covered, revealing techniques never previously published. Exercises, Solutions and set of Tranparencies are available via http://www.comlab.ox.ac.uk/usingz.html

The field of agent & multi-agent systems is experiencing tremendous growth. At the same time the field of formal methods is blossoming and has proven its importance in industrial and government applications. The FAABS (Formal Approaches to Agent-Based Systems) workshops, merging the concerns of the two fields, provided a timely and compelling platform on which the growing concerns and requirement of agent-based systems users that systems should be accompanied by behavioral assurances, could be discussed. This book has arisen from the overwhelming response to FAABS ’00, ’02 & ’04 and all chapters are updated or represent new research, and are designed to provide a more in-depth treatment of the topic. Examples of how others have applied formal methods to agent-based systems are included, plus formal method tools & techniques that readers can apply to their own systems. Agent Technology from a Formal Perspective provides an invaluable in-depth view of the key issues related to agent technology from a formal perspective, for both researchers and practitioners. This is a relatively new interdisciplinary field, and there is enormous room for further growth The book not only creates an initial foundation, but points to the gaps; indicating open problems to be addressed by future researchers, students & practitioners.

This book provides a comprehensive collection of methods and approaches for using formal methods within Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research, the use of which is a prerequisite for usability and user-experience (UX) when engineering interactive systems. World-leading researchers present methods, tools and techniques to design and develop reliable interactive systems, offering an extensive discussion of the current state-of-the-art with case studies which highlight relevant scenarios and topics in HCI as well as presenting current trends and gaps in research and future opportunities and developments within this emerging field. The Handbook of Formal Methods in Human-Computer Interaction is intended for HCI researchers and engineers of interactive systems interested in facilitating formal methods into their research or practical work.