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Practice-oriented courses in formal methods using VDM++

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Formal Aspects of Computing

Abstract

We describe the design and delivery of two courses that aim to develop skills of use to students in their subsequent professional practice, whether or not they apply formal methods directly. Both courses emphasise skills in model construction and analysis by testing rather than formal verification. The accessibility of the formalism is enhanced by the use of established notations (VDM-SL and VDM++). Motivation is improved by using credible examples drawn from industrial projects, and by using an industrial-strength tool set. We present examples from the courses and discuss student evaluation and examination performance. We stress the need for exercises and tests to support the development of abstraction skills.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering College of Aarhus, Dalgas Avenue 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Peter Gorm Larsen

  2. School of Computing Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    John S. Fitzgerald & Steve Riddle

Authors
  1. Peter Gorm Larsen
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  2. John S. Fitzgerald
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  3. Steve Riddle
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Correspondence to Peter Gorm Larsen.

Additional information

D. A. Duce, J. Oliveira, P. Boca and R. Boute

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Larsen, P.G., Fitzgerald, J.S. & Riddle, S. Practice-oriented courses in formal methods using VDM++ . Form Asp Comp 21, 245–257 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00165-008-0068-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00165-008-0068-5

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