The Web is growing at an astounding pace surpassing the 8 billion page mark. However, most pages are still designed for human consumption and cannot be processed by machines. This book provides a well-paced introduction to the Semantic Web. It covers a wide range of topics, from new trends (ontologies, rules) to existing technologies (Web Services and software agents) to more formal aspects (logic and inference). It includes: real-world (and complete) examples of the application of Semantic Web concepts; how the technology presented and discussed throughout the book can be extended to other application areas.

The Web is growing at an astounding pace surpassing the 8 billion page mark. However, most pages are still designed for human consumption and cannot be processed by machines. This book provides a well-paced introduction to the Semantic Web. It covers a wide range of topics, from new trends (ontologies, rules) to existing technologies (Web Services and software agents) to more formal aspects (logic and inference). It includes: real-world (and complete) examples of the application of Semantic Web concepts; how the technology presented and discussed throughout the book can be extended to other application areas.

Formal methods for development of computer systems have been extensively studied over the years. A range of semantic theories, speci?cation languages, design techniques, and veri?cation methods and tools have been developed and applied to the construction of programs used in critical applications. The ch- lenge now is to scale up formal methods and integrate them into engineering - velopment processes for the correct and e?cient construction and maintenance of computer systems in general. This requires us to improve the state of the art on approaches and techniques for integration of formal methods into industrial engineering practice, including new and emerging practice. The now long-established series of International Conferences on Formal - gineering Methods brings together those interested in the application of formal engineering methods to computer systems. Researchers and practitioners, from industry, academia, and government, are encouraged to attend and to help - vance the state of the art. This volume contains the papers presented at ICFEM 2009, the 11th International Conference on Formal Engineering Methods, held during December 9-11, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.