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.

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.