Perspectives on Formal Methods in the Last 25 years

摘要: Mathematically-based "formal" methods for developing software and systems have had an interesting history. Over the past twenty-five years, subject has moved from controversies surrounding code verification, through work on data types, design methodology, refinement "Lightweight" Formal Methods, to automated proof model-checking technology. The panel discussion recorded here brought together four computer scientists who been active as leading researchers practitioners in field over last quarter century. Held at BCS London Headquarters, Southampton Street, 30th January 2006, it provided opportunity learn about motivations behind some of major developments field, discuss trends, fashions, successes failures set them their recent historical context.